This is a part of our Alumni Series of articles written by past participants of the WallBuilders/Mercury One Leadership Training Program. Click here to learn more about LTP.
By Kayla Kibodeaux – Class of 2019
I remember the distinct moment that I felt my entire life change. As I looked out at the Sea of Galilee with the winter air hitting my face and the boat crashing against the water my focus shifted from horizontal to vertical. The days leading up to the Galilee were amazing, and I really was able to see great parts of the Bible playing out in front of my eyes. I met 45 amazing people. We started to have inside jokes and get comfortable with one another. We learned about how different everyone was while simultaneously learning how similar we were. We got through the easy parts. The things that you would feel comfortable enough to tell someone upon first meeting.
It wasn’t until the Galilee that my focus changed from fellowship to my relationship with God. It wasn’t until that day that I even knew why I had gone to Israel in the first place. It was the first time that I really took the time to not only look but really see. I went so that God could move in a place that hadn’t been healed for a longtime. I went looking for God’s heart. I went craving so many answers just to leave with more questions. I went and God delivered.
I am not sure that I will ever truly find the words for how my heart was changed that night, but I know that is okay. I know that my vantage point has changed, and for that I am extremely grateful.
So that is how I will try to live. I live with this gratitude I didn’t even know existed before the trip. I walk like I have a vantage point only God was able to give me. I speak with His word because I don’t have to question if it is true. I look at the facts and let them guide my decisions and feelings. I lead with God’s love and follow with His grace. I am changing things that I didn’t even know were wrong. I live like the child of the King of the Universe. I think that the moment we truly start to live embracing who God has called us to be is the moment that we really start to live. I don’t think it was until Israel that I really started to live again.
Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WallBuilders.
