Six Years.

Six years ago, I was baptized. August 14, 2005, was a day that I'll never forget. It was also a day that I told myself I would never be the same. I was right, I haven't been the same person. My life has been changed by Jesus. I pray that it's obvious to those around me.

The evening before I was baptized, I remember praying that my baptism would not just be part of a church service, not just something I did because others did it, or because it was something you were "supposed to do" in a baptist church, but that it would change the person that I was. I wanted to become serious in following Jesus. I wanted my passion about my Savior to be so obvious.

I cannot remember a time when I have not loved Jesus. Growing up in church, I learned about Jesus and fell in love with Him at a young age. I believe that my faith can be summed up in this one statement: I fall more and more in love with Jesus every single day.

I've learned so much in six years. And I am still learning, and still growing. I've learned that God loves me just the way I am, but loves me so much He refuses to leave me that way. I've learned that just because I am following Christ doesn't mean life is going to be easy, it simply means that it'll be worth it. I've learned that God has saved me from so much more than just hell. I've learned that there is a calling on my life...I don't really know what it is, but I know that one day I will. I've learned that God has a plan for my life....and that my plans don't always match up with God's plans, and 100% of the time His plans are greater than the plans I had for myself. I've learned that without Him, I can do nothing. I've learned that if God isn't in it, it's not going to work. I've learned that I need Jesus more than anything else. I've learned that because He lives, I can face tomorrow. I've learned that when I am weak, He is my strength. When I am down, He will lift me up. When I have no where else to go....I can surely run to Jesus. And for this, I am grateful.

I am grateful for six years of following Jesus. Six years of learning who HE is....who I am....who I hope to be. Six years of learning about Christ, growing in Christ, and running to Him. Six years of falling head-over-heels in love with the One who gave His life so that we might have life, and have it more abundantly.

It's hard for me to believe that six years ago I was baptized "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," and "raised to walk in newness of life." My prayer is that God would continue to change me. And that my love for Jesus will shine through me, so that others may want to know Him. I pray Jesus is evident in my words and actions. I am asking that He would, "Change my heart, oh God.......Make it ever true.....Change my heart, oh God.......May I be like You." For He is the Potter, and I am the clay..... Mold me and make me, Jesus, this is what I pray.....