Embracing the Journey of Faith: Lessons Learned 500 Days After Baptism

500 days ago, I took a significant step in my faith journey…I was baptized. Looking back, I realize that this journey has not been easy. When I was baptized, I had an unrealistic vision of what my life would look like afterward. I thought living a life that glorified Christ would come easily and that I wouldn’t struggle with sin. But I quickly learned that this was far from the truth.

Baptism is a public proclamation of the transformation happening inside us. Yet, God never promises that life will be easy. A life following Christ doesn’t change your problems it changes your perspective. Every day requires a choice to put on the new self and surrender the old self, and that is no small task. In the days and weeks following my baptism, I found myself continually falling into sin, which weighed heavily on my heart. The conviction I felt often turned into condemnation, dragging me down and leaving me vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks.

There were moments when I felt uplifted, taking significant steps closer to God, only to be hit hard by temptation and fall back into old patterns. The disappointment of letting myself and God down was overwhelming, and began bringing back feelings of unworthiness that I thought I had left behind. I faced intense spiritual warfare, but through it all, I leaned into my powerful, loving Father. I ran to Him, confessing and surrendering, not just once, but every single day for the past 500 days, and I will continue to do so for all the days to come.

Since my baptism, I haven’t lived a perfect life. In fact, I’ve lived a very imperfect life as a sinner. Romans 5:8 reminds us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God knows we are flawed and that we live in an imperfect world. Yet, He loves us so deeply that He sent His perfect Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and break the barrier between us and Him.

Now, every day, I walk in the grace of Christ, covered by His blood. I am just a girl who once lived for the world, but now I wake up each day glorifying the Lord who saved my life.

By: Mackenzie Porter