Beginnings and Middles

Working on the scriptures for next Sunday (13th) about the baptism of Jesus. It has me thinking a lot about baptism and what it means for the life of a Christian. It marks the beginning of the Christian life, the entrance into the family of God. Technically, it's a starting point, a beginning, a first step if you will.

In 12 step groups, the first step is to admit powerlessness. Powerless over alcohol, drugs, another person, food, whatever it is that is controlling your life - the first step is to admit that you are powerless over that. You can't quit, you can't control it, you can't let it go.

With Christianity, the first step is baptism - to admit that we can't control God. We can't shape God into the form we want God to be, we can't pick and choose what parts of God we'd like and which we don't. We admit that it is God who chooses us, rather than us choosing God. It is God who adopts us into God's family.

As with any journey, first steps are just that - first. The beginning leads to a middle. If you're on a trip, the first mile and the excitement eventually wear off after a few miles down the road. If you're riding a bike, the exhilaration of the first few pedals wears off as you focus on the path and the obstacles along the way. Skiing down a hill or climbing up the mountain - the first rush gives way to endurance in the middle, checking and wondering if you're still on the right path.
With baptism, the words come easy. Blessing the water, in the name of the Creator, the Christ, the Spirit. Congratulations and smiles all around, taking pictures.

But what about the middle? What do you say to someone stuck in the middle? When in their life's journey baptism and the joy of the moment seem so very far away? When sin and darkness have overtaken and all hope seems to have disappeared into shadow?

As many times as I've had the honor of being at someone's baptism, I've listened to two or three people who are struggling in the murky middle of their journey. Is this what God wants me to do? Where is God? Why can't I hear God? Why doesn't God answer my prayers? Is this all there is?

The middle of the journey can be hard. What I've learned from both recovery groups and Christians is that no matter where you are on your path, find companions. Pray with some one. Just one person. Risk it. Dare to tell just one person.

Or find a group who have walked a similar path - be it a women's Bible study or a 12 step support group - there are people who understand what you mean when you can't find your way, the shadow and doubt.

And as Paul prayed, so do I - I pray that out of God's glorious riches, God would strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith. And I pray that you, being baptised and therefore rooted and grounded in love, may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.