Published by Dr. Jean Claude MUREKEYIMANA – Iwacu Recovery Centre, January 2026
During the Week of Christian Unity, Christians from different denominations, countries, and languages come together to reflect on what truly unites them. Beyond traditions and church names, there is one fundamental reality shared by all Christians: Baptism.
Baptism is not merely a religious ceremony performed in childhood. It is a profound gift from God that marks the beginning of a new life. As Saint Paul writes in Ephesians 4:13, we are called to grow into unity of faith and maturity in Christ. Baptism is the starting point of that journey.
Called Even Before We Are Born
In Jeremiah 1:5, God says, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.” This verse reminds us that our lives have a purpose even before our birth. Baptism is our acceptance of this divine calling. It is our “yes” to the life God prepared for us.
Yet, many people struggle to live according to this calling. Some lose direction, dignity, and hope due to life’s challenges, including addiction and destructive behaviors.
A Living Example of New Life
At Iwacu Recovery Centre, we witness a powerful reality every day. We receive men and women who have spent years in alcoholism and drug addiction. Many have been rejected by their families and feel that their lives have no value.
But there is a turning point. The day they accept help and decide to change becomes like a new Baptism for them. They leave behind an old life and begin a new one. Just as a person emerges from the waters of Baptism renewed, they begin to rediscover their dignity, purpose, and hope.
This transformation shows us that Baptism is not only a past event; it is a living reality that calls us to continual renewal.
Baptism Teaches Humility
Psalm 131 says, “My heart is not proud.” True transformation begins when a person recognizes, “I cannot save myself. I need God. I need help.”
Many people trapped in addiction have tried repeatedly to change on their own. But real change begins with humility, like a child resting in its mother’s arms. Accepting Baptism means accepting this humility before God.
The Gift Must Be Cultivated
In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–18), the servant who hid his talent produced nothing. In the same way, a baptized person who does not live according to the grace received is hiding God’s gift.
Those who recover at Iwacu do not keep their transformation to themselves. They help others, share their testimonies, restore hope in their families, and become examples in their communities. They multiply the gift they received.
Becoming a New Creation
Baptism means dying to the old self and rising with Christ. It is about living a purposeful life. In rehabilitation, we see people move from meaningless living to lives filled with direction and responsibility. This mirrors the spiritual reality of Baptism.
A Question for All of Us
Are we still living as baptized people? Have we allowed God’s gift to transform our daily lives? Baptism is not a childhood memory. It is meant to shape how we live every day.
Conclusion
God did not give us Baptism as a one-day event. He gave it to us as a daily way of life. By living out this gift, we become instruments of hope, healing, and restoration for others; just as we witness every day at Iwacu Recovery Centre.