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. Submissions are edited for content and length.
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. Submissions are edited for content and length. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week’s topic is rapture. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
Rev. Dr. Nani Hill
United Church of Christ
One day the king of a beautiful island announced that he was going to choose an artisan from throughout the land to create a magnificent sanctuary in praise of God. Two of the best known artisans came forth to share their visions. The first artisan took the king to the beach and shared her vision of a sanctuary built out of tons of white coral cut from the sea and hundreds of giant clamshells, trumpet shells and thousands of perfect white pearls. The second artisan took the king to the mountains, deep into the forest. He shared his vision of a temple built out of hundreds of ohi‘a lehua and koa trees to be hewed and carved with the most intricate designs. The king was pleased with the visions of the two artisans.
The night before the king was to make his decision, he had a dream. In his dream he saw God walking the white sandy beach as the waves gently caressed God’s feet. The graceful coconut trees along the shoreline bowed low in the gentle breeze as God walked by. God headed into the luscious green Kalalau Valley greeted by the sweet chirping and whistling of the apapane birds. The strong branches of the hau trees reached out to embrace God. The tumbling waters of Opaeka‘a Falls greeted God with thunderous applause. The river and streams giggled with excitement. The towering purple mountains of Wai‘ale‘ale and Kawaikini stood rigidly at attention in honor of God. The tall bamboo trees nudged each other happily as God gave them the thumbs up. The sweet smelling maile and mokihana plants of Koke‘e gently wrapped God in fresh fragrance of aloha. God looked around proudly and joyfully leaped up to the peak of Mount Kawaikini. God stretched out both hands to the heavenly sky and arched a brilliant rainbow of every color and hue from the southern end of the island over to the northern end. Then God looked at the island below and smiled in pure delight.
God is the master artisan of the creation of this island sanctuary. Being good stewards of this masterpiece is a way of praising God.
Baha’is of Kaua‘i
The source of an artist’s creative inspiration and talent is God. Therefore, the work of an artist is seen as a worthy endeavor and all efforts expended in this pursuit are considered equivalent to worship.
The artist, however, in recognition and appreciation for the bounties bestowed upon him by our Creator, should utilize his art to uplift mankind and to represent the loftiness, magnificence and beauty of God’s own creations. Caution should be taken that the gifts so lovingly and selectively granted to these gifted individuals by God not be misused or abused in unworthy pursuits. The following quotes from the Baha’i writings are relevant to this topic.
“When the light of the Sun of Truth inspires the mind of a painter, he produces marvelous pictures. These gifts are fulfilling their highest purpose when showing forth the praise of God.
“I rejoice to hear that thou takest pains with thine art, for in this wonderful new age, art is worship. The more thou strivest to perfect it, the closer wilt thou come to God. What bestowal greater than this, that one’s art should be even as the act of worshipping the Lord? That is to say, when thy fingers grasp the paint brush, it is as if thou wert at prayer in the Temple.
“Such a chaste and holy life … involves no less than the exercise of moderation in all that pertains to dress, language, amusement and all artistic and literary avocations. It condemns the prostitution of art and literature … It can tolerate no compromise with the theories, the standards, the habits, and the excesses of a decadent age.”
Rev. James Fung
Lihue Christian Church
Artistic expression as in paintings, sculpture and music in the Christian faith has not only beautified museums, cathedrals and art galleries. They have found their way into the heart, inspiring the faithful all through the ages.
Through their creative genius — composers, poets, painters, novelists and film makers — have told the story of God’s miraculous deeds and humankind’s response to the God who escapes definition and explanation but which, nevertheless, seeks expression. How barren and impoverished would our souls be without the work of Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or if we never heard Mozart’s Requiem Mass or Handel’s great oratorios?
I recall, years ago, while visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, when I saw Holman Hunt’s painting of Christ standing at the door, based on the passage in Rev. 3:20. That portrayal of Christ standing beside a door that was almost covered over in vines and thorns made a huge impression on me. And then it was pointed out to me that there was no handle, no door knob on the outside of the door. That was not an oversight by the artist. When Christ comes gently knocking on the door of our heart it can only be opened by us from the inside.
That painting is so etched in my mind. Like so many other works of Christian art, it has illuminated my faith in ways that mere words could not.
Rebecca DeRoos
Science Of Mind Practitioner
There is an art to creating art. Being an artist myself, as a child I began with the belief that “I could do it!” So, as a child living in Michigan I drew palm trees, flowers, old homes — everything — and my confidence grew. Eventually I ended up on Kaua‘i painting my specialty: Palm trees, flowers, plantation homes, etc. A child already is a soul artist in his “knowing” that he/she can do anything. Time, environment, relationships enhance or slow this confidence and belief system in one’s own self.
As I paint in public settings, the interested ones may stand behind me quietly. Curious, I often turn around and say, “Since you are intrigued with art I can imagine that you are an artist yourself?” Very often I get the response, “No, I play around with it, but I’m not good at it.” Doubt is revealed in their voices. Then I encourage them by saying, “Don’t you know that you already have it in you — the desire — and that is the beginning. Know that you can do it and you will.” I’ll also suggest taking a community class or reading a book on art to get the basics. The beauty, I know, they already have.
My mother’s best quote was: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” I totally agree. God has already given us the ingredients.
There is an art to receiving that which you want. I call it a spiritual “SBR” — See it. Believe it. Receive it.
I know that God rejoices in the best for us. As a child I could “see it” and I “believed” I could do it. Today I’ve “achieved and received it.”
“Everything created by God is good.” 1 Timothy 4:4.
Topic for two
weeks from today
• Will you speak to us on arrogance?
• Spiritual leaders are invited to e-mail responses of three to five paragraphs to afrainier@ thegardenisland.com.
• Deadline each week is 5 p.m. Tuesday.