I’m Not Scared, I’m Baptized

by Susannah McKenzie-Sutter

On the last day of our mission trip to Winnipeg, we went to the worship service at our host church, St. James Presbyterian. During one part of the sermon, the minister, Rev. Allan Farris, told a story, and it's been on my mind since. I thought I'd share it.

A friend of his was at a public pool one day with his wife. His wife was near the deep end of the pool and she ran into a little, very friendly girl. The girl told his wife that she had just learned how to dive yesterday and that she was going to do it right then. The lady asked the little girl if she was scared. The little girl said, "I'm not scared, I'm baptized."

I had to laugh when my friend, of a different faith, sitting next to me in the sanctuary said, "I'm not scared, I'm Jewish." He was joking around, but he actually put my thoughts right into words. Because whether it's the phrase "I'm not scared, I'm Baptized," that applies to someone’s life or "I'm not scared, I'm Jewish," it's all saying the same thing. It means that you're not afraid because you have faith.

That one sermon summed up our week in Manitoba, made things so much clearer. Because I've always had doubts and worries and questions and fears. Lots of them. Many of them about my faith. However, my experience in Winnipeg helped me to see that God isn't some graying old man in the clouds, watching over everyone through a giant telescope. But a piece of everyone and everything. God is in a kind word, a sage stick, a canoe trip, good friends, a new challenge, a picture someone special drew. The list goes on.

I guess I'm trying to say too many things at once right now. The bottom line is that I'm tired of analyzing my faith. I'm tired of trying to explain why I believe in God and I'm tired of attempting to explain why bad things happen.

All I know is this. After Winnipeg, after being on the reserve, spending time with the kids in the Flora House summer program, and just learning from other people, I got a glimpse of who and what God is.

 So if you don’t agree with what I’m saying, I’m okay with that. I’m not trying to change your opinion. But if you have to contradict me with mere logic, go ahead. I challenge you.

I'm not scared. I'm baptized.