Wade in the Water

Wade in the waterWade in the water, children,Wade in the waterGod's a-going to trouble the water

On the Sunday when we remembered the Baptism of the Lord, we sang the song Wade in the Water during our early service.  I really like it.

Think about the words in light of baptism.  We are the children claimed by God.

Or 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.  (Romans 6:3-4).  

As Christ is baptized, so are we.  We sink into the water with Christ, into death, and we rise with Christ.  Consider that for a moment.  Consider what it means to "wade into the water."  Baptism isn't just a statement of faith on our part, and it isn't just a claiming by God.  Through Baptism, or through our response to our baptism, we wade into the water.  We wade into not only eternal life, but also into suffering.  As Christ walked among those who were in pain and who were oppressed, so do we.  As Christ walked among the sick and lonely, so do we.

Wading into the water is risky.  It's not a walk on the beach.  God's a-going to trouble the water. We won't be in a peaceful, placid place.  We'll be in the troublesome water that is the place where Christ would have us to follow.

Wade in the water, children.