Birthday and Rebirthday

What is it that causes someone to make the Big Decisions that will shape the rest of their lives? How do they know when they are actually ready to even make those decisions?

And what kinds of things keep them from actually doing something about it?

It has been my policy at home to never ever push the kids into a decision about following Jesus. I don't consider it my job to force them into anything, but rather to present the information to them so that they can make intelligent decisions when they are ready to understand what it is that they are signing up for. Not that I require them to have a Divinity Degree, of course; but by the time they reach that magic "age of accountability" (which varies from person to person) and have become able to think through the things they have seen and read, put those things into the context of their lives, and consider whether they are ready to make a commitment to a way of life which is, in many ways, in conflict with the way of life for most of the people around them, I would expect that they will decide one way or the other.

I have constantly stressed to my children that I do not want them to make any decisions of this magnitude simply to please their parents, or to fit in with their peers at church, or because "everyone else is doing it". Nothing could hurt me worse than my children telling me, years from now, that they felt pressured to make a decision which they were really not ready to make yet. I'd much rather that they say, "Not yet", than to say "Now" for the wrong reason.

I'm not one of those who believes that being dunked in the Magic Water makes one Holy simply because of the act itself (else I would have baptized my children as infants). It has always been my contention that becoming a Christian requires a level of contextual cognizance, an understanding of the ramifications of the decision, and a desire to let others know that the decision has been made. In a sense, it's like joining AA. You have to believe in your soul that there is a need, be willing to stand up in public and confess your pitiful state, and then, every day, rise from your bed and re-commit to the way of life that will keep you alive.

We have read through the Bible with the children, studied with them, asked them questions from their lessons at church, and tried to come to an understanding of where they are in their spiritual lives. We understand that they are not fully grown, either physically or spiritually. And we have let them make their own decisions on the matter. It is interesting that our youngest was the first to make a commitment to Jesus, but knowing her personality, not quite surprising. It was surprising - to me - that Deborah was the second, based on her personality; she is not typically demonstrative or outgoing or public about personal things. Indeed, in some ways she is the most private of our offspring.

So when she started talking about it the other day, we wondered where this sudden decision had come from, what had prompted it. Cheryl discussed it with her, helping her narrow down what it was she really wanted to do, and when. I was more concerned with her understanding of the long-term consequences of her decision - how it would change the direction of her life in many ways, how it would affect all her future decisions, and how it could impact many of her relationships.

In the end, she held fast to her commitment, and we had the happy task of calling some dear friends to come over on Saturday morning - her birthday! - and witness her re-birthday.

And the joy that we shared as we gathered around the baptistry and congratulated her, was immeasurable.