Called and Claimed In the Waters

“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you.” // John 15:16

It is still my favorite home video, though for different reasons now than when I was growing up. My biggest fear is not that the VHS tape will stop working, but that the old VCR in my parents’ den will give out and render the old home video unwatchable.

My siblings and I delighted in the drama captured at the reception, particularly the neighbor boy getting stuck in a tree and the unmistaken ‘80s hairstyles and shoulder pads. My nostalgia has a different focus these days.

Now, I watch the first half of the video with greater awe and wonder as I see the water poured over my head and my name pronounced, claiming me in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. It is a powerful moment and one that I find myself going back to frequently when I lose touch with the foundational identity I received that day—daughter of God.

I can go through my days distracted by the responsibilities of life, teaching, relationships, family, etc. It can be easy to focus on the many things I need to be doing while neglecting the more important reality of who I am and need to be.

At Baptism, the Father speaks over us, “[T]his is my beloved . . . ”(Matthew 3:17); the Son whispers to our hearts, “As the Father loves me, so I also love you…” (John 15:9); and the Holy Spirit falls upon us (see Acts 10:44).

If we allow ourselves to become distracted by the swirling chaos that sometimes bombards us throughout the day, we forget to embrace the presence of the One who is our anchor in the storm and fail to notice that “he has done wondrous deeds” for us (see Psalm 98:1).

So, I invite you to take a moment today to remember the power of the words spoken and water poured over you on the day of your Baptism, and allow yourself to bask in the truth that you are forever claimed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.