I remember the days when a penny was worth a piece of bubble gum and two pennies could buy you a Tootsie Roll Pop! As children growing up, we had (or have) strong urges for certain things, like candy or toys! I couldn't care less for what was going to be on the dinner table but would be consumed with the thought of eating a Snickers! Showing up on the playground with a pocket full of Jolly Ranchers was always a good thing because it gave you the power to be popular among your friends: Hand out candy and you'll always be sure to have company!
I remember a kid in my neighborhood when I was about eight years old. He always had candy. I hardly ever had candy so I was the perfect mark for his sales pitch. Unfortunately, I think I used him more than he used me. Personally, and I'm not proud to admit this, I didn't really like this other boy very much. He was awkward, frail, very... how shall I say??? Sissy-like. None of the other boys in the neighborhood liked him, so he was loner. That was until he showed up at my gate with a box of Mike and Ike's. Like a drug dealer, without a word, the exchange was made; He handed me the candy and I handed over my devotion, at least for the duration of the supply.
At the earliest of our social awareness we realize the most important part of navigating relationships is where to turn... or shall I say, WHAT to turn in to. With some friends I could be this and with others I should be this and with another group, well, just tell me what you want me to be! Unfortunately, these detours often lead to dead ends and too many blindsides will find you lost and alone! Fortunately, most of us figure this out along the way and value the straight and narrow of a consistent direction. However those who long to be "In" with the "In crowd" will only find themselves at the end of this life with a closet full of Member's Only jackets, Cole Haan loafers and Abercrombie and Fitch sweatshirts!
There are somethings I can get into, like a car and then there are those things I'm just "in" to, like certain cars! Of course these cars are completely outside my ability to own but what does that matter? I'm into certain wines, can you guess which ones? I'm so into a particular sport... no need to even guess on that one! I'm told ladies, that some guys just aren't that into you. And fellas, your ladies aren't into your fellas!
Think about it for a moment and consider what you are REALLY into?
When we are completely immersed in something, we are fully into it! Let me say it this way... If you are immersed in something, there is no percentage which is "out." As, poker players would say when betting every penny they have... "I'm all IN!" And like these poker players, you and I, for whatever it is we are into are baptized by it! That's right you read that correctly. Baptized!
Oh, I can hear it now... "Uh uh. I was baptized when I was a kid!" Nope, you are baptized right now if you are completely into something! Because the word means to be completely immersed! In fact one part of the definition implies to be "overwhelmed!" and like many of the things we get into, they eventually overwhelm us... like debt or an addiction. Understanding baptism in this manner, sheds new light on the meaning of baptism as Christ followers! We are into Christ... Completely! This happens at the moment we say, "I'm all in!" And when you're in... you're in! In other words, You're part of the Body of Christ. Look what the Apostle Paul says in Galatians, "And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes." This baptism isn't speaking of the water type we do as children or later as adults in obedience to being baptized but the baptism of God's Spirit which places us INTO His Body, or Family or House; all ways to describe those who are "In" Christ! Which leads me to think, perhaps the one thing that changes everything... is belonging!
So, the final question is, "Just how much are you into Jesus?" Is it a candy affair or are you all in?
