• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer on…” 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. Submissions are edited for content
• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer on…” 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. Submissions are edited for content and length. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week the suggested topic is brothers. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
Pastor Wayne Patton
Anahola Baptist Church
Jesus walked on water one stormy night. The apostle Peter also walked on water until he saw the waves and wind, then, he began to sink. Jesus caught him, but the lesson remains. When we become more aware of our circumstances than we are of Jesus, we begin to sink. When despite our circumstances we keep our eyes on Jesus we can share the Lord’s supernatural ability to walk on the waves of life.
Some time ago I was deeply troubled about something. I went to bed with little hope of sleep. I had been studying this passage (Matthew 14:22-33). That night I decided to visualize the Lord Jesus, walking on the water, coming toward me. In my mind’s eye I saw myself leaving the boat and walking toward Jesus. It was indeed a windy and difficult night. All through the evening I would awaken. Fear would nearly seize me. I resolved that my mind would stay on the Lord.
I had never before realized how difficult it was for Peter to ignore the blowing wind, the spray from the water and the blustery waves. How tempted I was to glance to one side or another, as if to anticipate being smacked in the face by an unexpected wave. All night long I forced myself, in my mind, to keep my gaze on Christ without glancing to the left or right. I was on that Sea of Galilee all night long, but I kept my focus on Christ.
Right now, Jesus is in heaven, praying for us. He is preparing to come to us. For a season, however, we are left on the choppy waters of this world, straining at the oars, oft-discouraged, buffeted by contrary winds and sometimes exhausted. Jesus is preparing to rise from His place of intercession and, at just the right time, when the darkness is deepest, to come to us.
Our job for now is to persevere, keeping our eyes on Jesus.
Kahu James Fung
Lihu‘e Christian Church
God speaks to his prophet and shares a message of hope to the nation of Israel during a time of hardship. God says, “I will pour water upon the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; and I will pour my spirit upon your descendants and my blessing upon your offspring. (Isaiah 44: 3)
Water is a symbol of God’s life-giving spirit. Just as water can bring life to the desert, God’s spirit can bring life to the soul, transforming dried up hopes into dreams of greener pastures and richer opportunities.
Here on the beautiful island of Kaua‘i, we turn on the tap and enjoy the best drinking water that can be found anywhere. No need to get it bottled. But there are so many places in the world where people know just how rare and precious a commodity it is.
In some communities, people walk miles every day to fetch water. Water sustains life. We can go without food for several weeks, but we won’t survive many days without water.
And we may trudge through life without God, and eke out an existence. But when our souls are saturated in the living water that comes from faith we do not merely survive, we come alive with life.
Topic for two weeks from today
• Will you speak to us on eternity?
• Spiritual leaders are invited to e-mail responses of three to five paragraphs to pwoolway@kauaipubco.com.
• Deadline each week is 5 p.m. Tuesday.