Redemption of circumcision via baptism.

Let’s face it guys. Women do a whole lot more within the circle of life for reproduction then we do.  We have our part – starts active yet quickly moves into a very passive engagement.  And once we are at the hospital, we become the backseat passengers for the most part as the L-rd, our wife, and the doctors take center stage.

This is where I found myself with my children and with my wife.

In the back seat.

So naturally being a man and having 3 male chiildren, I wanted to be a part of their circumcision.  I won’t go into the graphic details of this “bris” (Hebrew for circumcision) procedure, yet I will say that I was hurt when my final son was taken for this procedure without my knowledge and returned to me all complete.

I lost out yet again.  Three strikes.  My heart hurt.

Fast forward till today, sitting in church listening to how Moses was a forerunner to the Gospel story of Yeshua in a very similar manner.  I had a hard time listening to it all because I was focused on how I have been redeemed.  My prayer was answered.

Here’s why I can say that.

To be honest, I don’t remember praying about the circumcision or going to G-d at all about any part of the situation.  Yet my heart was pure, I believe, in my desire to be there with my son during the procedure. 

And I have heard that the L-rd always answers prayer.  He may say “no”.  He may say “yes”. Or He may say “maybe later” or “you will have to wait and see”.  Let’s focus on that last one. 

About 15+ years later from the hospital, this unspoken prayer of the heart was answered as I got to not be passive but active and not just following a long-old, yet still perfect, tradition of setting aside a child for G-d as a baby – but ACTUALLY baptising my youngest into the family of G-d and dedicating the young-adult into His Kingdom.

Talk about an answer to prayer.

Talk about redeeming my heart.

Talk about His timing to make all things perfect.

This is what was revealed to me today.  How great is His love for us that while I could have been a passive reviewing of his circumcision, instead I get something much better – an active participation in a grand event – Baptism.

My son did not choose to be circumsized – he chose Salvation.  He chose Yeshua and I got to witness it all so sweetly.

Sure, I missed out on his circumcision.  I miss those sweet days of little ones in our household, yet His grace is so more than sufficient – it is bountiful.  While He states in 2 Cor 12 this sufficient grace, He proves every day and a lot by the moment He loves me (and you) so much more than we can ever imagine or understand.

So please take a moment today to reflect on how awesome He is and while we may get a “no” or a “wait” in our prayers – there may just be something far greater and better just around the corner.  It happened to the Israelites in the desert for a Savior – though much more than my 15+ years.

He gave me the desire of my heart through an unspoken prayer that day.  What about you?

All He does is worth it…

“Delight yourself in the L-RD; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4 (NASB95)