Prompt #16 (Life):A Rough Journey

Appreciation

For the past few days, I reflected about living life purposefully and living well, basing my life experiences so far.

My life centers around being a Christian, and my set of values, beliefs, and principles is mostly based on the Bible.

I admit that I'm not living a perfect life and holy life, and I'm nothing but a sinner saved by His grace.

Understanding of baptism

Before, the purpose of my life was filled with emptiness without a purpose as I suffered from mental health issues, especially depression.

I was not thinking about God, or I have sometimes forgotten Him because I was focused on my set of problems, but I subconsciously acknowledge Him as my only God since I belong to a Christian family.

Back in 2015, in my first year of college, my eyes had a certain glow after I decided to have my second baptism without my parents' knowledge. Even my aunt noticed and told me that I look happier.

To be honest, it was the best decision of my life without regret.

If you were wondering why I had my second baptism, it is because of my country's culture, when you were a few months old as a baby, there is a christening or a baptism with a priest, which means you were automatically a Christian without our awareness since our parents decided that and not because of our choices, but baptism is not all about that.

Before my baptism, I lacked knowledge of what it meant, and my youth leader in my student group encouraged me to be baptized when I was a newly minted Christian.

Being a Christian family, I didn't hesitate to say yes from her, and the bonus was from my desire for my confirmation to follow God and be devoted to Him.

Why is baptism important in a Christian life?

I will quote a book titled A Living Sacrifice written by Watchman Nee for better understanding. A Living Sacrifice by Watchman Nee (Page 11)

Baptism is a public announcement that declares, "I have come out of the world."

Meaning, the world claims us no longer, and God accepts us as one of His children.

You see, in this world, we were already set in damnation. Because of God's intervention, we have our will to choose where we go, either to follow God or the world.

Honestly, in the book A Living Sacrifice, it even talks about salvation and baptism being intertwined.

Since salvation is a broad-scope subject, I would not explain further, but I'll explain it simply what it means.

If you were wondering what salvation means, I'll summarize what it means from the book.

Salvation means to be saved out of this world. It means you are cutting off your relationships with the world.

The difference with the baptism is that the external part of a Christian life is a public announcement, while salvation is the internal part in a spiritual sense.

Hence, I mentioned why baptism and salvation are mixing together well. After thinking about it, it is such an interesting topic for me.

Journey of life

When I was a child, I belonged to the world, living in ignorance, indulging in the pleasure of life, and the only thing I wanted was to have fun.

As I grew older, I realized that I should balance the pleasures and responsibilities of spiritual and physical life.

Sometimes, the temptation of this world was beautiful, but the most valuable treasure in my eyes is God's love, as I keep on returning to Him.

My life sometimes got lost in my journey of the wilderness, but I keep on chasing after God, knowing His promise is eternal to us.

Life is always a struggle, but with God, you will find rest, and your load on your shoulders will be lightened when you decide to follow Him.

Living purposely and living well

Having a purpose in life and being well-lived are blending together beautifully.

How do you live well without a purpose?

Without a purpose in life, you will not live well.

Being well-lived means that you have to be content in life, such as in relationships with your fellow workers, family, friends, classmates, and lover, and being true to yourself.

Living in purpose means having set your goals in life, to which I set mine on God even knowing how difficult it is.

When I told God that I don't know what my dream is in life for a career or what my purpose is in this world, and then He answered me in May 2016, what I got was His calling or vocation to me.

My journey still continues with that, and it's a struggle to seek that out.

If you don't have a purpose in life, there is nothing wrong with asking God for guidance.

No matter how big or small your relationship with others is, it is still considered a blessing that God gave us, and whatever He gave us, like the air we breathe, being alive, and those beautiful natures, are considered as God's blessings.

In conclusion, we are like pilgrims in this world, passing this world temporary as this world is not our true home. Even though sometimes we get lost in life, we have the Bible or God guiding us to the right path.

When we are at His door in His kingdom, I want to hear him telling us, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Matthew 25: 23 KJV

Can you hear that your hardship in this world is bearing fruit? It is such a wonderful feeling when I imagined it, and that is where we find true rest in His open arms as He welcomes us back home.