During the Crusades, the war leaders hired many Mercenaries, (hired soldiers), to help fight for them. Right before fighting in battles, the local priests would baptize the Mercenaries as a sign of devotion to God before they carried out whatever it was that they thought was His Will. When being baptized, they would unsheathe their swords and hold them above the water. By doing this, they were telling God "Lord, I give you everything I am for your Will, except for the sword." (The sword represented the bloodshed they were about to cause.)
This was the story my pastor told during last Sunday's service. Because the sermon was about money and debt, I personally didn't get too much out of it, but this story really got to me. It made me realize what I have been holding above the water. For me personally, often times I find myself holding music, video games, movies, and other media like that above the water, saying "God, you can have everything I am and have, except for my media." What about you? What do you feel you're "holding above the water"? Comment below!
Wow, that's just how it goes isn't it. We all have some things that we are holding above the water. Me, I tend to hold my pride above the water. Gosh its so hard at times just to let it all go...to let Christ take it. Why drag it with you, why drag your sins and extra distractions with you when you can lay them at the cross?
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