It’s Never Too Late to Get Baptized

"And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16)

One nice thing about waiting until my 30s to get baptized is that I can recall that morning so vividly, and it’s something I often think about with joy and thanksgiving.

I was baptized in Ocean City, MD, less than two weeks after the September 11 attacks in 2001. The baptism was planned prior to 9/11; it was part of a retreat with McLean Bible Church in which several people were baptized.

Fortunately, we were still able to have the retreat. I was originally going to be baptized in the Atlantic Ocean, but bad weather forced us to go inside to the hotel pool. In a way, that made it even more meaningful because we all had to stay quiet to avoid waking other guests. I felt even more connected to God in that moment.

Of course, my then-fiancee (Abi) was able to be there and celebrate with me. That’s been an added bonus to know that she witnessed my baptism. Our faith has guided us through 20-plus years of marriage.

Though I was saved as a high school sophomore and attended church regularly in my youth and as an adult, my baptism helped me reach a more intense level of faith.

Even in just the 22 years since I was baptized, the world and my world have changed quite a bit. I never would’ve guessed exactly which challenges I’d face, but my baptism has changed my life and helped provide a sense of peace.

About Lacy Lusk

Lacy serves on the communications committee and occasionally as a liturgist. He, his wife (Pastor Abi Foerster) and their son Levi have been at St. Thomas UMC since 2018.