Archives for January 12, 2020

Devotion

Refrain
Wade in the water,
wade in the water, children,
wade in the water,
God's a-goin'-a trouble the water.

1 (See that host all dressed in white,)
God's a-goin'-a trouble the water.
(the leader looks like the Israelite.)
God's a-goin'-a trouble the water. Refrain

2 (See that band all dressed in red,)
God's a-goin'-a trouble the water.
(looks like the band that Moses led.)
God's a-goin'-a trouble the water. Refrain

3 (Look over yonder, what do I see?)
God's a-goin'-a trouble the water.
(the Holy Ghost a-coming on me.)
God's a-goin'-a trouble the water. Refrain

4 (If you don't believe I've been redeemed,)
God's a-goin'-a trouble the water.
(just follow me down to Jordan's stream.)
God's a-goin'-a trouble the water. Refrain

Text: African American spiritual

During fall break in college I went camping with friends on the North Shore in Minnesota. One crisp October morning, a buddy and I thought it would be a great idea to take a quick dip in the "balmy" autumn waters of Lake Superior. I will not forget my literally breath-taking encounter with that frigid water, nor surfacing with sputters and gasps as all the air that had been squeezed out by my plunge into the icy waves came rushing back into my lungs all at once. "Look over yonder, what do I see? ... The Holy Ghost a-coming on me."

Hold on to that image. Today (and every day!) when you return to the waters of your baptism, may your old sinful self be plunged into their chill depths and your new self—your redeemed self—rise, with the Holy Ghost rushing in to fill your lungs and your life.