5 Things I Promised to God in the Adriatic Sea

After an intense time of group confession and prayer, it was incredibly healing and so precious to wash each other’s feet in the sea at the Spirit’s prompting.

On September 20th, we washed each other’s feet and then I renewed my life vows to the Lord. 

Here is what I remember.

The sand shifted beneath my feet and the pushy waves licked at my waist. I was fully clothed, standing waist-deep in the Adriatic Sea. How do I get to live this life?? My husband was on my left, per my request for him to stand by me during that moment. He held me by my arm as the water pulled at my center of gravity, causing me to sway. But my right hand was up in the sky as it had been for hours already. It was as though my muscles didn’t have a care in the world other than to praise the One who dreamt up my every fiber. My squad mentor was on my right, praying for Holy Spirit power and thanking the Lord for His familiar goodness to me, amongst other praises and blessings. 

After several moments of me standing there, seeking His face and soaking in this wonderful moment, I heard the words, “And we baptize Madison in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!” 

With both arms in the sky and a smile of childlike giddiness on my face, my body sunk below the choppy surface of the water. My eyes must have been cracked open, because I observed the sun sparkle through the rippling waves above me. The water was cool enough to remind me once again of the amazing, vibrant, sensational life I get to experience as I pursue my Creator… Friend…Savior… My Groom! As I rose from my watery grave, I clung to Isaak, my head buried in his chest. I was overwhelmed by the goodness of our Lord and so thankful for the new commitment I had the chance to make to the Lover of my soul. 

We were in the sea for six hours, many of my squadmates renewing their vows to the Lord and receiving deliverance from spiritual oppression and past baggage! A small but real miracle is that I didn’t get sunburnt! This still blesses me so, that my Abba protected my skin so I could peacefully be here in this beautiful moment. 

Please let me share with you what led to this moment, for I do not take it lightly. 

I was baptized once when I was 11 years old, and I believe that commitment was genuine and knowledgeable. I knew I was promising in the presence of my church family to follow the Lord for the rest of my life and I knew that meant I believed in His sacrifice for me, etc. I knew the commitment was binding and significant and beautiful. However, similar to the woman I was when I met my endearing darling-of-a-husband at the altar, I had no idea what living that covenant looked like when circumstances were not simply “better” but were entirely “worse.” I knew not the tears my Abba would count both in praise and in despair. I knew neither the joy of freedom nor the oppression of my enemy. I knew neither the rewarding privilege of laboring to reap the harvest nor the toil that it would take to plant the seeds.  

11 years later, I know there is still more to be discovered than I can comprehend and the unknowns are abundant, but I am certain I have at least a more accurate grasp of the vows I’ve made and the sacrifice they will require of me. I am more on guard against the pests that tend to follow me now, the ones I have observed time and time again throughout the last 11 years: anxiety, comparison, doubt, pride, neglect of grace, and others… and I deliberately left every one in the sea to drown! Can I get an AMEN!? How amazing is our God that He allows us to simply drop these burdens at His feet and walk freely in His goodness! 

So, here are my new vows to the Lord, still a naive daughter, but a more knowledgeable heir and a more seasoned laborer:

Good, Sweet Abba, 

I promise I will aim to seek Your love for me in every circumstance, determined to listen to Your voice above all the noise in my head, resulting in living in love toward Your beloved children. I never want to grow blind to your love for me, not one more moment. 

1 John 4:16 – And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

All-Wise Teacher,

I promise to deliberately pursue You through Your word. I desire to know more of Your nature and be prepared to provide a reason for the hope that I have in You, as well as do my best to obey in every good work You have set aside for me.  

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Helper and Guide, 

I promise that I will continue learning and growing in the power of the Holy Spirit, actively combatting my doubt and fear with confidence and trust in You. I will aim to be expectant and interruptible in my day-to-day life when Your Holy Spirit wants to move through me. Help me to be a faithful steward of this inexplicable gift and privilege. 

Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

Perfect Creator,

I promise to remain malleable to Your formation of me into the woman You planned from the start when You formed my inmost being. I want to remain humble knowing my personal development is never finished; I want to call myself to a higher standard of living for my Abba where my life reflects You more and more as each day passes.  

2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Precious JESUS,

I promise to devote my life to serve You, doing what is in my power to fulfill the Great Commission with the good gifts and resources and opportunities You have given to me. It may be clumsy at times but You, Lord, know I will try. I might get tired, and then I will lean on You and try some more. I will be filled up by the person that is Love and Grace and Majesty so that I can show others the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I will attempt to love You, LORD, with ALL my heart, soul, mind, and strength, day by day. It will not be perfect and there are going to be many days I do not feel infatuated with the Christian life, but I will choose love and devotion to You. All I pray is that my life brings delight to my Savior. Let it be in Jesus’ name. 

Matthew 28:18-20 – Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

What a beautiful day to re-commit my whole life to the One who is beyond words, arms joyfully lifted as His sun shines on us!