Teenagers At 30! A Facebook Phenomena

Most of us are disconnected from life. We struggle to find meaning or purpose as we helplessly get stuck in empty relationships. We become compulsive and seek attention by sharing our innermost thoughts but not our innermost feelings.

(I just want you to notice I’m here! That’s All.)

Getting praise or adulation is not our thing, at least not for those of us below 35 years old. Being recognized/noticed is the most difficult feat to realize at our age. (I think, I could be wrong)

(check out how many of us are on youtube or facebook)

Due to this fact, we have become blinded by the latest gadgets and technology advancements but they are just another gimmick designed to distract us from claiming our place at the ‘high’ table.

We have swiftly become detached from reality and do not realize there are sacrifices to be made in life.

Unfortunately, I think we have let ourselves become that sacrifice, as we seem to have surrendered our power to effect change.

We’ve let the media and the online social networks dictate how we should relate with one another.

Where have I heard that before???

I know people evolve with time but has our love ever evolved with time?

Have we become more or less intentional? Do we or do we not seek instant gratification?

If I know I’m a creature of habit and begin to act a certain way and never question my reason for doing so then naturally over time I will be unable to recall the purpose of it all.

But the severity of life affords me no such luxury. So I need to question my actions in order for me to understand my natural progression from Eden.

Life and Love are not mutually exclusive! Life was designed to accommodate Love and vice versa.

We should learn to accommodate the struggles of life and not seek to replace our pain, loneliness or emptiness with unfulfilling relationships just for the sake of being affirmed.

Because God affirms us through Christ.

When you truly believe that, you will be sure to find peace and purpose.

(Disclaimer: I need to hear this everyday, so I was just preaching to myself) what are your innermost feelings? I bet God knows!

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Mathew 3:17)

Seeking A Response To Kenya’s Meltdown

When I read up on what is going on back home I sometimes get anxious and wonder what more can I do… I begin to write hoping to find answers.

Though my writing lacks inspiration because I live without conviction, torn apart by the struggle within

And my prayers feel like empty sentiment void of commitment

I desperately search for someone to look up to, like a son without a father.

For even though we are virtually connected the distance between us is becoming a prison in which the joy of friendship seems withheld, lost in the mundane routine

which if not checked makes it harder to counter this corrupted mind.

Also our corrupt government/system is not far removed from a corrupt people so to apportion blame on others is to abdicate collective responsibility on our part.

So how can we lead by example if power is all we seek

like the disciples who disputed amongst themselves as to which of them was considered to be greatest

should we seek to serve or be served?

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8517338.stm

Racism And Its Effects On A Young Kenyan Living In America

Calling me ‘poor’ because I’m African is the     same as calling a black person ‘nigga’. See words can invoke strong feelings, just like a cold stare, an indifferent glance, or giving a cold shoulder to someone. Its all very subtle sometimes but we communicate a lot even when we think we are not.

How we communicate can make or break a relationship. (“I should know!”) And the worst part is, most of us do not know how to communicate with people from different ethnic, social or cultural backgrounds as us. (I’m guilty of this too)

Some of us try hard to hide our ignorance whilst others are very genuine in their efforts to integrate with new people.

The problem arises when there is a communication breakdown. When one party is dissatisfied with how they are being perceived or treated it becomes easier to stop trying.

This is why I appreciate so much these new lenses God has given me, ‘my American experience.’ I was semi-comfortable wearing my old lenses when I was in Kenya but I realize now I can not keep wearing the same old lenses if I am to continue with my search for the ‘truth.’

Firstly, there are personal struggles I am more cognizant of now than ever before.

Secondly, I sense I have accomplished something great by having graduated from a prestigious seminary like ‘Fuller Theological Seminary.’ The reason I say that is because ten years ago my parents and my teachers never thought I would amount to anything.

The sky is not the limit for me, Love is.

Thirdly, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had the courage to refuse to turn a blind eye to the “confusion in the land,” and now I am learning to do the same too.

“He spoke up for those in America whose voices were otherwise not heard in the halls of power.” (a quote from a friend’s article-Justin West)

But why are his words still being quoted today?

Justice should be synonymous with the Truth.

I’m no saint but I know God desires more from me.

Diversity was celebrated more where I came from than it is here but I’m not saying that to dismiss the complexity of it all. I’m only saying that to help you understand my struggle.

My high school friends were all from a different tribe and I was the minority in my own school but we didn’t just get along. (And this was in a non-christian school)

There is a longer history of institutionalized oppression to deal with here so I am not going to try and ignore your past, I just hope you don’t ignore mine too.

Also, I have to apologize on behalf of the African collaborators who sold their own people to the slave traders because they contributed to a system of injustice for the seductive mistress we call ‘power.’

The fruits of our labor have borne pain and strife and even up until today we continue to let outsiders trivialize our achievements for the sake of a bigger empire, whilst mothers are being raped and children orphaned.

Your charity will not save me and neither will your internalized indignation. I have a mind and a will of my own. Amalgamate that with my love for God and you have a nation powerful enough to stand on its own two feet.

But you keep imposing your insecurities on me and fail to communicate your courage so I can take no pride in myself and idolize thy wealth.

Let God be the only one worthy of my fear.

Because His love for me helps me to accept my own depravity.

Will you let His love for you let you accept me as your equal?

Most minorities in America don’t have the priviledge of learning their own history, so how can they understand me?

I grew up learning about European and American history and read western authors but how many Americans have read Kenyan authors?

Its no wonder minorities are still segregated. We are slowly losing our identity by buying into this passive aggressive technology age which is still being monopolized by the ‘establishment.’

Man did not need weapons to fight off the enemy, all he needed was Love.

Once we bought into this ‘superior weapons propaganda’ we jeopardised our own existence, so how long will we keep eating from the forbidden tree?

I’m not from the ‘third world’ and I’m not ‘poor.’

I’m from ‘out of  this world’ and I’m rich in ‘love.’

Yours sincerely,

K. E. (Kenyan Epiphany)