As I spoke on a verse in Colossians and my favorite verses in 1 Corinthians 13 on Friday, I found myself attempting to look into as many faces as possible, but with a crowd of over 700 high school students, this task was impossible.
There is a connection when eyes meet. I truly believe this.
This may sound silly and even childish, but on a wonderful spring day last year, I once looked deeply into the eyes of a complete stranger as I sat in my favorite second-hand bookstore. I was attempting to analyze an oversized book on Monet when this tall blue-eyed young man walked over. This may sound overtly romantic, but even though we only gazed into each other’s eyes for two minutes and only exchanged the normal pleasantries, I felt a love for him.
Yet, it is different this time around. I gaze into the eager faces of children and young adults nearly every day and I can honestly say that I love them “with the love of Christ,” as our Kenyan pastor is fond of saying. I now feel a swell of love and compassion that is not selfish or self-centered as I look into the crowds before me as I preach.
God has truly shown His love, joy, and grace to me as we serve and preach and play and live here in Kisumu. The last two weeks, while not perfect, have been my favorite on the Race. It is as if a part of me has lain dormant until now. There is a joy I feel and know, a peace that I feel as I preach, and a love that transcends my limited self that has— in a way— woken from a deep sleep. Perhaps this will change, but the reassurances and encouragements that I have received in the last few weeks, from friends, church members, teammates, and God has propelled me into loving and living for Christ in a new way…I feel as though I am more ‘alive’ for God and His kingdom.
