I knew Brad loved the Lord, I knew He wanted to do what pleased God. I knew he could have been immersed long ago. I know I could have badgered and nagged. But The Spirit told me to remain silent. To be patient. To allow Him to do the work. 11 years. That is how long I have prayed. I knew my prayers were not in vain. I knew he would do it when he was ready. I knew when he did do it, it would be for the right reasons. I knew when he would do it, he would become a new creation.
I knew what a BIG deal it was. I knew many would want to witness, want to share in our joy. Brad was embarrassed, because he knew it was something he has needed to do, yet he has waited so long. Brad, really a newbie in Christ, had no idea the impact. No idea how important it is to make a public confession of faith. No idea the impact it would have on others. He really wanted to do it with no witnesses, just immediate family. He was okay when I suggested a Wednesday night before small group. He was okay that an email was sent out to invite our small group to come a few minutes early to share in our joy. He was okay with me inviting my family and his. I wish he would have chosen a day when his dad would have been in town. Looking back, knowing what he knows now, I think he would have. Instead I sent them a text.
On Monday I received some texts from friends who had read their email sending congratulations, saying they would be there. One of my favorites came from Monica Head, "Annie wondered who would be baptizing Brad, perhaps he will ask me!" There were emails saying the same thing. Teachers and Moms at preschool on Tuesday offered the same. On Wednesday morning I received a text from a long time friend who attends the main campus, she had heard and wanted to come. I told two other long time friends at BSF that morning, both shared in my excitement and said they would not miss it. Unknowingly, one friend called her parents (an elder at the main campus) to come. She said they cried when they heard the news. They changed their plans so they could come. The children's minister at church called one of the elders we are close to at the main campus to let them know. We did not know. Tears came to my eyes as I saw them walk in the door. Almost everyone in our small group came. The few who could not attend, sent texts or emails, expressing their sorrow at being unable to attend.
We felt the love. I was not surprise because that is how the body of Christ, how the church is suppose to work. We were deeply touched. We felt deeply loved.
"God's purpose is for the church, the new humanity, to occupy with Christ the
central place in the universe. The church displays the unfathomable greatness of
God's wisdom to angels an to people. The church is rescued from the pit of sin.
God enables the church to triumph in her extended conflict with Satan's invisible,
evil forces. The church lives by faith, supported by grace. The mysterious paradox
is that the church despised by the world, seemingly helpless and of base origins,
WILL BECOME the vehicle of God's glory, designed to teach an impressive lesson
to the universe." BSF notes - The Acts of the Apostles Lesson 24 page 5
While I was overwhelmed and excited about the love that poured out as a result of being part of the body of Christ, I was equally proud of the example that was shown to Brad's family. Brad's really does not fully realize how much of an influence he has on his family. His sister was able to come up from Austin. I did not tell him I had texted her or that she was going to be able to come. I wanted it to be a surprise. Brad's sister has not been baptized. Brad's sister has some knowledge of Jesus. Very little of that knowledge comes from spending time in His Word or belonging to part the body of Christ. (That could be said of many) Most of her knowledge comes from the times she has gone to church, from culture, from her mom and other avenues I may be unaware of. She made a few comments to indicate where she was in her walk. She said it was weird that I had sent that text when I did, because she had been talking with her husband recently about getting baptized herself. She was surprised to find out that a fellow church member from our small group was going to baptize Brad, not a minister. She did not really understand how you went about getting baptized or who was suppose to do it. She was surprised to learn that Brad was going to be baptizing Presley in a few weeks.
As I looked around at the crowd of people there to celebrate this new creation, this new life I prayed that she would see the church as God intended. I was so proud that our small group was a vehicle of God's glory, and I prayed she would see why belonging to the body of Christ was so important.
One of the members that Brad is the closest too was unable to be there. He called Brad the night before and talked to him for a long time. He expressed how sad he was that he was going to be out of town. He also told him how excited he was for him, how he had been praying for this for so long. Paul often expressed how his joy was often found in learning that others had come to Christ and believed in the good news of the gospel. Being part of that in any way brings such joy. That is how I feel. But I think Brad was a bit overwhelmed to learn that others felt that joy. That others would care enough to be praying, and would care enough that he was made new. But it is joyful. It is incredible that God allows us any part, big or small. In reality it is all HIM, but the small part we do contribute in obedience is richly rewarded with the joy that comes from seeing one come to Christ and be made new. That friend called his boss (who plays golf at the same club as Brad and his dad) to tell him the good news that night. The next time his boss saw Brad at the club he came over and hugged him and told him how proud, how excited he was for him. Yet another example of the Body of Christ as a vehicle of God's glory. It was meaningful and touching to Brad. But I know Brad's dad was watching, he witnessed. His dad could not have missed the glory.
God is at work.
All I have to do is be obedient to the Spirit and allow the Spirit to do His work. My reward is the joy. Now I am experiencing the joy of Brad. I continue to pray that in the future I will get to add to the joy!
