"Ride the River"

Twas no warning Sunday morning,

When I along the river rode,

In the saddle, search for cattle,

Where they were, nobody knowed.

When my pony I named Roany,

Perked his ears and heard the sound,

Of the sisters, brothers, mothers,

As they prayed and gathered ‘round.

They were singin,’ sinners bringin’,

All their praise on that fair day,

Some were shoutin’, never doubtin’,

Jesus washed their sins away.

And the preacher was their teacher,

Brought ‘em down into the waves,

Laid ‘em under, splashin’ thunder,

As they sang our Jesus saves.

Sat their thinkin’, maybe sinkin’,

Down to hell because I knew,

Cowboy crazy what a daisy,

If all this was really true.

I wasn’t searchin’ for no churchin’,

Just lookin’ for those strays,

But my wander made me ponder,

If the Good Lord in His ways,

Had brought me cause He sought me,

To the river where they met,

And the Spirit I could hear it,

Saying what you need to get.

And I knew it, nearly blew it,

‘Cause I almost rode away,

But didn’t do it, got down to it,

Stepped off my horse to pray.

No neat phrasin’ or hand raisin,’

Just a simple help me, please,

But Jesus heard me, Spirit stirred me,

Beside my pony on my knees.

Then a trottin,’ I was spottin,’

To the river I would go,

There I waded, and I traded,

My old life for good, you know.

Put me under, and the wonder,

Of that moment’s with me still,

Raised with Jesus, sure He sees us,

And since then to do His will.

Rode the river, got delivered,

I was the stray God found,

Thought I’d never, howsoever,

I’m a cowboy heaven-bound.

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” (Romans 6:4, NLT).

Being baptized is one of the most memorable moments of a believer’s life. Because we have trusted Jesus we want to obey Him and express our faith in this powerful way. We personally identity with the death and burial of Jesus when we go under the water, and His resurrection when are raised up. It also is a great day of celebration for the church as we welcome new members of the family of God. Can you be a Christian and not be baptized? Of course, because it is by grace through faith that we receive eternal life. However it is one of our highest honors and greatest joys! It’s not that we have to, but that we get to!

Lord, help us walk in newness of life, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tyler Crow, used by permission. Thanks, Tyler, and God bless you.