Right now across Kenya and the entire world…
There is a hatred for the group of terrorists that busted into Westgate Mall and killed at least 68 innocent people.
I find myself in so much pain that I can’t even muster up tears when I think of
the horrific war-zone that the once innocent family friendly shopping mall turned into.
Today my heart has indeed been aching for the innocent lives lost but something
that I can’t stop thinking about are the gunmen.
All day long I have felt the most intense grace for them...
a grace that isn’t even my own.
I want to weep thinking about the deep desire in each one of their hearts
To earn eternal life and please their god.
I wish I could look them in the faces and just show them the love of Christ.
Tell them that this isn’t the way.
That the one true God doesn’t demand violence or murder or suicide…
All He wants is a relationship.
I wish I could tell them that gunshots and grenades and hostages are meaningless.
That it’s deep and dark and demonic.
I wish I could look them in the eyeballs and tell them of the Savior who was beaten and bled and died for THEM.
And that although they have done this heinous crime…
He is still right there… begging for them.
He wants nothing from them…
All He wants is to give them peace and joy and comfort.
All He wants is to suffocate them in his forgiveness in redemption.
And as I turn from the faces of the gunmen…
I want to look into the eyes of the families that have lost their own flesh and blood in this horrific crime
and hold them in my arms
and speak life and comfort and tell them of this Prince I know that is known for His peace.
A prince that is absolutely desperate to hold them in His arms…
And whisper His comfort over them and give them a free gift that will comfort them forever.
He is such a good God.
I find myself in these times wanting to weep and hop on the next plane
and make sure justice is served…
but, He has stopped me dead in my tracks and reminded me that
I was just like these gunmen.
Running around like a chicken with my head cut off searching for anything in this world to satisfy.
Running around clinging to anything that would ensure comfort in this world.
Begging for attention and listening to the lies of this world that claimed they knew what satisfies.
Yes, these gunmen did a horrible act…
and it is shaking the planet…
and has instilled fear among many both in Kenya and across this planet…
But ultimately all I can do is look to the freaking King of Kinds for peace.
He’s all there is.
He is all that will comfort.
He is the only true source of joy there is.
and as much as it seems INSANE that he would still anxiously pursue these gunmen…
He does.
It is beyond human comprehension why he would have grace on such people…
but he does.
And I am thankful for that.
I’m thankful that he doesn’t write us off.
I’m thankful that he pursues regardless.
I’m thankful that he loves us because he loves us because he loves us.
Today, as we pray for Kenya and those who have lost their lives…
Let’s pray for these gunmen and their families.
Let’s pray for their salvation.
Let’s REJOICE that we have a Savior that loves with no boundaries or restrictions or prerequisites or acts.
I freaking love this God that we serve. Thank you, Jesus.