But now, says the Lord—
the one who created you, Jacob,
    the one who formed you, Israel:
Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name; you are mine.

Isaiah 43:1

Making the decision about what to post here in my blog, day to day, is an interesting process. First, I want to create a fairly accurate record of life, like a journal. Then, I intend to keep a devotional or at least faith-based tone to my words. Plus it helps if I have a photograph or two available to help tell the story – tell our story.

Then there is the writer in me, who wants to include quality, interesting, compelling content that is actually worth reading.

Yesterday – Sunday – is a great example. Especially in terms of the “coincidence” that a beautiful baptism fell on the same week Rebekah talked about “Faithfulness” in her Fruit of the Spirit sermon series. So of course the baby was “Exhibit A.”

The scripture from Isaiah – above – spells out God’s faithfulness to us, in the form of covenant. “I have called you by name, you are mine.” We belong to God, regardless of our response. We can acknowledge the relationship, and live into the beauty and wonder of the personal focus of the Creator’s love; or… we can have nothing to do with God. Regardless, God’s faithfulness is true.

In baptism – “Covenant Baptism” in the Presbyterian tradition – we make promises to be faithful too. The parents make a solemn promise to God that they will raise their child in a home committed to follow Jesus; and church members covenant to be active in supporting and encouraging the family.

God’s faithfulness, the Bible teaches us, is unconditional and sure. Our faithfulness is where, sometimes, the equation breaks down.

If you want to listen to Rebekah’s excellent message on Faithfulness and Covenant, click here, it should begin at the 45:25 mark.

Baptism is one of those “Thin Places” where it is as if time and eternity occupy the same space, where the holy and the day-to-day rub elbows, where God’s presence is palpable, where mortality and immortality are both equally present.

We sing “Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me,” and in moments such as this it does. God is there and the covenant is sealed not just with promises but with the presence of the Living God.

This is church, friends. This is what it means to be people of faith. This is the invitation Jesus came to extend. This is good and true and faithful and sure.

In love, and because of love – DEREK