Remember your Baptism

We have been remembering (and giving thanks and praise for) the gift of baptism.  I am fascinated by the hope unleashed in us when God's Spirit claims us:

       growth in wisdom and understanding - and fear of the Lord.
       constant invitation to renounce Satan and all of Satan's empty promises
       Death to our sin -- life eternal in Christ

Given the scope of these promises I can understand why Luther advised:  return to your baptism daily.

When I do that, it reminds me to turn off my current information source (ie, computer, radio, tv, whatever) and listen to God's voice through prayer.

I am also encouraged to turn my back to temptation of all kind.  One of my mentors said "Don't fight with the temptation, for then it has your attention.  Simply turn your attention to Christ.  Pray. That is all you need to do."

Finally, if I know that I am guaranteed eternal life in Christ, I am less inclined to preserve my life in any worldly way.  Unless my presence, thoughts and actions point to eternity in some way, they are tied up in some sort of egoic or materialistic chains.  Christ frees me to surrender all that I have for the good of others.
(Needless to say, I don't do that perfectly, but I do believe that it is possible from time to time -- at least in some small way!)

How about you?  What do you think of when you return to your baptism?

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