In order to deliver this reflection the best way I can, I’ll share two stories.

The first took place years ago, when I’d learned and memorized my first bible verse in Sunday school, not long after learning how to read. I got home from church that day so excited to share with my mother what our Sunday school teacher, auntie Kate, had taught us that morning. “Mummy, look!,” I exclaimed once I saw her. “I learned how to find John 3:16, and memorized it too! John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave His ONLY begotten son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Hours later, I’d go to her to show her that I still remembered. “John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave His ONLY begotten son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” I was so proud of myself, you see. But like any child, it took me years to understand, for myself, exactly what it was that I was reciting.

The next story took place over the holiday, on New Year’s Day.

I took a trip into Harlem to meet up with a friend for dinner. I think it’s important to share that I have a great love for Harlem, one that is deep like the rivers. Being there always brings me back to myself. I’m reminded who I do and who I don’t want to be. I’m inspired by the people; by its past and its present; by the great artists of her famed Renaissance , and the greater leaders who brought to her children’s consciousness the importance of love for self, doing for self, and care for eachother. It’s sobering and exhilarating all at the same time, being there. I feel “at home” there, if you will.

On my walk to the restaurant, Harlem Tavern, I ended up sharing the sidewalk with an older woman who was dragging her folded shopping cart along in the same direction. There was a tall man ahead of us watering the small patch of grass in front of his home to whom she said, with a great deal of love in her voice, “happy New Year”. He wished her the same as we continued by. I thought it weird that she hadn’t wished me one since we’d been walking the same path, but then again, I couldn't say much because up until that point I hadn’t said anything to her either. Once her and I approached the end of the street, I decided to say something. I turned to her and said, “happy New Year”. This time there was some surprise in the tone of her voice, but the love was still present. She said, quite enthusiastically, “why, thank you! A very happy new year to you too!” I began past her when I heard her say quietly, “oh, God is good”. I said, “amen”. “I mean He’s just so good to us.” I said, “amen,” this time slowing down the pace of my steps in order for her to catch up with me. “And He loves us so much, but some of us don’t know it,” she said. “If we did, we wouldn't hurt each other so much.” I continued agreeing with her as she spoke. “I mean He just loves us so much, that He gave his son, Jesus… can you imagine!? Sending your son from heaven, from the kingdom, to earth so that he would save us!? Imagine how lonely it must’ve been for God… how sad He must have been to be without His son and knowing what he would have to go through for us... but He did it, because He loves so much.”

She went on to profess the love of God and of Christ for the next 5 or 6 blocks, and I listened. She said to me at a point, looking me straight in the face, “my son, God is with you... He will never leave you… like He promised Joshua and the people of Jordan, He will always be with you… when you read the passage, put your name in their place… that is His promise to you”. She went on to speak about Christ descending into hell after his crucifixion in order to retrieve the keys of death from Satan and save the souls of those who would hear him that died before his coming among them. She spoke to me of the desert, of God being with those whom He makes to pass through its dangerous and depraving wilderness, and how He still provides, just enough, for them in that their time of separation from the fleeting joys of material and excess—how He draws those chosen ones nearer to Him.

By the time I knew it, her and I had been standing on a corner for an additional 10 minutes, exchanging stories and words of encouragement. She told me that her name was Magali, a daughter of Harlem, who moved to Haiti to raise her children and had only recently returned.

Once it was time to go, after having embraced each other several times already, we said goodbye one final time, wishing each other the best of God’s promises before going about our separate ways.

I tell you, Ms. Magali touched my spirit that day… speaking to me, encouraging me, in love, without having known me at all, from anywhere.

John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world so much that He sent His son, Jesus… and I tell you, that God loved me enough on that day that He allowed me to walk alongside Ms. Magali that first afternoon of the New Year; a woman who was, in our time together, a reflection of Jesus the Christ.

When we are taught about Jesus and his time on earth, we are taught that he did everything in love. He freed those who were bound, healed those who were sick, returned sight to those who were blind, and so much more. Every “miracle” that the scriptures profess that he performed was made possible because of his connection with the greatest source of love and of life. I’ve met Jesus many times through people. In my life, I’ve been blessed by people who love so genuinely… pure people who through time shared bring out the best of me and my spirit.

The building of God’s kingdom requires those of us who believe in Him to do His works. Being a child of God and having relationship with Him sometimes requires us to leave the comfort zone of “the kingdom” with all of its luxuries and descend into hell, trudge through the desert in order to speak with authority to, and convulse out of others, unclean spirits such as those of loneliness, depression, anger, hopelessness and others that deprive people of the joy we know can be theirs to experience, just as Jesus did when his body was among those in the land of the living.

This 2017, my greatest goal is to work on following the example of our elder brother Jesus, striving to be reflective of him who was one of this world’s greatest reflections of God our father.

- Kwasi Yeboah

Ladal: I met Kwasi in college and have always been amazed by his words, felt inspired in his presence and comforted by our friendship. Thank you so much Kwasi, for sharing your reflection with all of us. SO meaningful!