It had been in the dark cold ground all that winter season, and then in the spring, it came forth. He quoted scripture to me about harvesting where you did not sow, and I was aware of the wonderful mystery of life that is available to us even out of the winter seasons. Those who love their life lose it and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Throughout history, baptism has been symbolic of both the death to sin and selfishness as one is immersed in the water or is covered by the sprinkled water and then coming out of the water, arising from baptism, there is new life. The seed once planted dies but brings forth new life.
Baptism is about life and death.
It is not just a little ceremony where you dab a little water on the forehead. For us, it should be about the beginning of a blessed life. I think that as your pastor, I was well prepared to serve this church by working in a prison and on a wheat farm. I learned a lot about life. I learned about death and betrayal.