The Soul’s Thirst. Once while praying, I “saw” myself in the middle of something that looked very much like a prison cell. Its walls, floor, and ceiling were made of iron bars. I could see clearly within the cage, but all I could see was darkness outside. I felt trapped within this prison. I wanted to get out, and I cried, “Lord, please set me free!” His reply was, “The key is in your hand.” Indeed, when I opened my clenched fist, there was a key! I quickly opened the door and ran out. After several steps, I stopped, found myself wrapped in darkness, and became afraid. My first inclination was to run back into the cage where it was “safe and secure.” I came face to face with two choices: go back to my prison, where I felt safe, or take a step in faith into the seemingly unknown. “No,” I decided, “I will not return.” God has, by His grace, given us the very precious gift of free will with which we can choose a life of intimate contact with Him or a life of mediocrity at best. This choice is the “key” that, through baptism, allows us to step out into a whole new way of experiencing life. God’s love is such that He wishes to force Himself on no one; therefore, we must choose God by asking Him to come into our lives. God calls us to something unknown yet intimately familiar, exciting, and extraordinary! He anxiously awaits this invitation.