• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are
• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are edited. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week’s subject is on reconciliation. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
Kahu Dr. James Fung
Lihu‘e Christian Church
If you’re not famous be glad. If you have a measure of fame be careful. Fame is like a morsel that can become addictive. You have a little bit of it and you develop a taste for it and before long you find that you crave it. When people think you’re something and you believe it — that’s when it’s time to watch out.
Whether we seek it or not, fame or celebrity status can be thrust upon us. Character has to do with how we wear that recognition and honor.
Jesus taught a helpful and easily understood lesson about having the kind of humility that not only makes us better people but can also save us from social embarrassment. He said: “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher;’ then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14: 8-11)
When we, like Christ who emptied himself of self-importance, (Philippians 2: 1-11) learn the paradoxical truth of losing our lesser self to find our higher self, we discover the greatest freedom of all — to be free from the illusory happiness of fame, power and applause. The deepest joy is not what people can give us, it’s what we have already received by God’s grace: An enduring and fulfilling spiritual relationship with Christ.
Baha’is of Kaua‘i
Children are born with different talents and faculties. Both their parents and communities join to help each child reach his potential. From an early age children should be encouraged to enjoy learning and to become skilled in the arts and sciences.
Through the grace of God may they discover the mysteries of the universe and earn fame for their contributions to mankind. Simultaneously, however, children should be gifted with the knowledge and love of God and taught to put Him above all else. Though fame and fortune are gifts from God, the Baha’i writings caution that nothing should displace Him from their lives. “Beware lest ye cling unto that which ye possess, or take pride in your fame and renown. That which behoveth you is to wholly detach yourselves from all that is in the heavens and on the Earth. Thus hath it been ordained by Him who is the all-Powerful, the almighty.”
Rebecca DeRoos
Science of Mind practitioner
One of my mother’s favorite sayings was, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” To reach what one would call “fame” there is more to it than this. In the Bible God expresses a great gift through these words: “It is done unto you as you believe.” The catch is we have to learn to receive this gift. All we have to do is believe what we desire is already ours.
It’s not easy. We have to make a break from any negatives in our past and upbringing and become open to loving, respecting and honoring ourselves.
Famous people like President Lincoln, Elton John, Oprah or Jesus already have that God-given and accepted self-assurance. Their ideas and goals are challenging, but with each success their goals become personally inspiring and they can’t help but go for more.
Sudden fame is not always pleasant and sometimes unwelcome. Famous people struggle for their privacy; yet they realize in giving of their time it helps to accomplish their goals.
Nothing is beyond accomplishment with a will and a way and a knowing that it is God’s great gift to give us all we ever wanted. All we have to do is believe.
Topic for 2
weeks from today
• Will you speak to us on
good works?
• Spiritual leaders are invited to e-mail responses of three to five paragraphs to pwoolway@kauaipubco.com
• Deadline each week is Tuesday, by 5 p.m.
