Rachael Fair's Baptism
On September 19, 2008, our sister Rachael was baptised into Christ.
*My life has changed by the Grace of God*
My name is Rachael, and am proud to say your sister in Christ. I just
graduated, in May from the University of Florida, studying Interior
Design and Architecture. I am currently working for an interior design
firm called Hendrick where I design for corporate businesses.
To give you an idea of my life before I became a disciple- I grew up
in the church and loved being involved. I did so many things through
the ministry and always tried to do the right things. Although it
seemed that I had my life together and was living a life after Christ,
on the inside I was lost and not satisfied with my life. I was very
insecure with who I was and was really self reliant. I liked the idea
of trusting God and following Him but I always pushed Him aside so I
could make my own life decisions. I thought I knew what was best for
me and convinced myself that God would want the things for me that I
desired. Therefore, I would make decisions without seeking God and then
ask Him to bless them.
In college, I started to realize that I needed to make a choice if I
wanted to follow the life a Christian or not. There was no one there
telling me what I should or shouldn't do but I wanted to do what is
right and didn't want to get myself into trouble in college so, I made
it a priority to go to church. I continued to learn about God and the
scriptures and go to Christian organizations on my campus, but I
didn't have the desire to study the Word out on my own. I would allow
myself to believe that I only had time to work on my education so I
could succeed after graduating. I never allowed myself to get close
enough to God to allow Him to be involved in all areas of my life.
Not having a life style that was fully committed to God, it became
harder and harder for me to resist the temptations that the world had
to offer me. I starting dating a guy during college and thought that
I had found the "one", the Christian guy I've been waiting for my
whole life. I didn't have wise discernment before entering into the
relationship yet had every intent on glorifying God through our
relationship. As time progressed, I became distracted and so into my
relationship that I looked to him to find comfort, security, and love.
Over the two years I was dating him, I started living a life of
compromise where I changed and justified the standards and boundaries
that I was following. I had carried guilt and tried to hide it by
convincing those around me that God was blessing our relationship.
The summer of my junior year I interned here in Atlanta at the job I
am currently working at right now. Right before I moved to Atlanta I
turned 21. I fell into the peer pressure of drinking and going to
clubs to find socialization and act however I wanted. I was trying to
run from God because deep down I knew that if I were going to follow
God I had to give up my boyfriend and all the desires that I had. When
I returned to school I had no problem going back to the "good girl
Rachael" because I would be too busy with my studies to even worry
about going to parties.
At the beginning of my last semester of college, everyone around me was
making career and living decisions as to where they wanted to go. I
struggled because I was trying to make everything I wanted for my life
to work out the way I wanted it to. As I applied to jobs in different
states, it made me really evaluate what it is that God really wanted
for me. I wanted Him to bless the direction of my life after college.
As I tried to, once again, figure it out on my own, I was left in
disappointment because I couldn't take my desires and wants along with
me if I were going to be obedient to God. I struggled and became
unhappy with my relationship with my boyfriend because I started to
see that being with him was what was hindering the life that God had
planned for me. It caused me to be distant from God. Everyone else in
my classes seemed to be getting engaged and started thinking about
their future with their fiancés and I knew I was going to need to do
the complete opposite. Fearing loneliness and discomfort, I tried to
ignore it. During that month, I tried to avoid the truth and drown it
out by going out drinking with my girl friends as I did the previous
summer. It didn't take long for me to realize how that was making the
matter worse and how my soul was feeling so empty, void, and sick.
I was hurting so deeply inside that I couldn't bear it any longer. I
decided it was time for me to give everything that I had up to God. It
was so hard and I remember all the lonely nights and tears I cried
during that time. I had to let everything I had known go. I knew what
I was doing was for the better and that God loved me enough to forgive
me of my sins and restore my relationship with Him. I hurt deeply
though, because I knew when I was in sin and I ignored it for so
long. I didn't realize how lost and confused I was. As I spent time in
church, prayer, and fellowship through Church and Bible studies, I
became stronger and more confident in who I was in Christ. I felt a
freedom that I had never felt before. It was a daily struggle to stay
on track because I knew that temptations would come looking for me but
I learned to cut the hindrances out of my life completely. I knew that
I needed to be serious about seeking God and learning what it is like
to follow him with every part of my life.
Every day got better and I started to be excited about where God
would lead me. I missed my family a lot and thought it would be a good
idea to stay in Florida to work so I can be close to my family. After
all the interviews and applications, I realized that my efforts were
not working. I remembered that at the end of my internship that they
offered me a job after the end of my internship but I didn't even
consider it until this point because I looked at Atlanta as a negative
experience because of all that I had experienced here previously. When
reconsidering the opportunity in Atlanta, I realized that it was God
directing me because I had closed my heart towards that idea
completely. I prayed about it and made the phone call and had an offer
immediately. I was filled with peace as I finally realized that that
is where God wanted me to go. I didn't really know why it had to be
Atlanta but I was willing to go and be as positive as I could to see
where God leads me.
I found a church to attend and a singles group to get involved in
before I even moved to Atlanta. I was excited and encouraged to know
that I would be plugged into the Church immediately to keep on the
right track. It was good but I still felt like I was having a hard
time connecting with people and getting into a Bible study. I started
to feel alone again and I realized how easy it would be for me to fall
back into a lifestyle of sin. I prayed really hard that God would
bring Christian friends to me that would encourage me to grow closer
to God. With in two weeks I met two disciples in Lenox Park. I was
invited to go to Bible Talk and I started to attend them weekly. I was
still hesitant to be involved because I was still inwardly struggling
knowing that I would have to come to a point where I would decide to
finish placing ALL my trust, hopes, and dreams and lay them at the
feet of Jesus and trust that he will be my provider. As I got to know
the sisters better, I agreed to start studying the Bible. The first few
were quite easy for me and I felt like I already knew everything they
were telling me. What made me "stick it out" was the passion and
eagerness that the girls I was studying with displayed. I knew that it
was something I could have too! For the first time, I started looking
at the scripture and what it means to me at a personal level. I looked
at it in the knowledge that God's word is for me to follow and that it
was my sin that nailed Jesus to the cross. I became humbled and
realized how prideful I was previously. For the first time, I realized
that I was in darkness. Yes, even if I had Biblical knowledge and grew
up with it. I realized that I had not come to the point where I was
fully committed and grounded in God's Word and that I had previously
lacked willingness to follow after his example. I started to pray that
I would have a heart of Jesus and to have the desires he has. I prayed
that I would be open and willing to do what ever it was I need to do
to be right with Him.
As I learned about baptism I realized that this was an area that I
needed to revisit in my life. I was baptized at a young age between
seven and eight. But I learned and realized that I didn't understand
the totality of what it meant to be baptized. I just thought it was
proclamations to let everyone in church know that I am deciding to
allow Jesus to be in my heart. Acts 2:38 is the scripture that really
cut me to the heart. "Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of
your sins and then you shall receive the Holy Spirit". I really
evaluated and made sure I understood everything it takes to be a
disciple and count the cost. I revealed my sins, my struggles, and
what the challenges I foresee as I follow my life after Christ. I
couldn't wait to be baptized and I knew that once I was going to be
baptized that the major new difference in my life was no room for any compromise.
It would have to be about me and Jesus from that point on and that I
would be willing to accept whatever he calls for me to do and to
pursue what his will is for my life. I really took to heart that my
life would no longer be my own.
I was baptized Friday, September 19th. What joy and excitement
came over me! I couldn't help but to be happy at every moment. The
love of Christ became so real to me and when I was baptized, I felt so
liberated. It was the last thing that I needed to do to entered into
His kingdom. It was very special to me because I made my
personal covenant with God that I will no longer compromise and water
down God's truth. At that point I had no doubts as to who God was to
me and no fear of what may come ahead. It brought me a new confidence
that I have never had before. I desire to repent and be apart from any
old sin. I am now blessed to be apart of a Kingdom where I can share my
faith in prayer and faith that others may come to know Him.
We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Salvation can only come through Him and no sin is greater than
another. God is waiting for us to come to Him and accept his grace and
forgiveness. He can bring us full restoration and give us a new life.
Romans 6:3-4 "don't you know that all of us who were baptized into
Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried
with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was
raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live
a new life."
I am so thankful and blessed to be among so many disciples who have a
heart after God. Who seek Him and desire to study their Bibles and
live out what it says. You all have been so encouraging to me and it
is amazing to see how God was directing my life all along to bring me
close to Him. He knew exactly what I needed! Just like Jeremiah 29:11
says: "For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, 'plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future.'"
I share this with you so that I can testify to the grace of God and
his forgiveness. I hope that through my story you can be encouraged to
seek out the love that God wants to give you and how much compassion
he has for you no matter where you are in your life today. I would
like to close with lyrics from a song titled "None but Jesus" from a
worship band called Hillsong. This song really summarizes where I am
with God today.
In the quiet
In the stillness
I know, that you are God
In the secret
Of your presence
There I am restored
When you call I wont refuse
Each new day again I'll come
There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring him praise
In the chaos
In confusion, I know
You're sovereign still
In the moment
Of my weakness
You give, me grace to do your will
So when you call I won't delay
This my song, through all my days
There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring him praise
All my delight is in you Lord
All of my hope, all of my strength
All my delight is in you Lord
Forevermore
There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring him praise.
Raul's Baptism
In June 2008, our brother Raul was baptized into Christ.
Brice's Baptism
On May 18th, 2008, our brother Brice was baptized into Christ.
Shaina's Baptism
Winter of 2007 our sister Shaina Booker was baptized into Christ.
Dyneka's Baptism
Fall of 2006 our sister Dyneka Russell was baptized into Christ.
Robin's Baptism
  
On Sunday September 10th, Robin Sibert was baptized into Christ. Robin studied the bible over the summer and let God touch her heart with the scriptures. She had 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 read at her baptism. Robin is a graduate student, currently in the Grad Student Singles Bible talk. Be sure to congratulate her when you see her in the fellowship, and be sure to get to know our newest Sister in Christ!
|
|
|
