• 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 the suggested topic is guests. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
Kahu James Fung
Lihu‘e Christian Church
It’s simple, but not easy.
The plan may be a simple one to follow, but it might take hard work to pull it off. For example, there are volumes written about how to lose weight and live healthier. The solution is not a complex mystery — eat less, exercise more. But it’s not easy for most of us to stick with the discipline. We like our ease and comfort too much.
Jesus advocated a simple approach to living a rich and rewarding life by seeking that which honors and pleases God. But it seems that our agenda is different from God’s. We make life more complicated and more difficult than it needs to be. We don’t accept the limitations and authority of God’s moral laws.
Every day driving home from Lihu‘e to Kapa‘a there’s a sign advising motorists to merge into the left lane. Ninety percent of the people on the road do, but the other 10 percent speed up to pass the 40 or 50 drivers doing the right thing. Traffic would flow more smoothly if we abided by this guideline.
As the week goes on those who’ve dutifully merged begin to think, “Why should I sit stuck in traffic for 20 minutes as others speed by?” So they start doing the same thing.
This is, in microcosm, the beginning of an out-of-control society where fair play and a spirit of community falls to the wayside.
I refuse to do the wrong thing and will pray a special blessing on those, even though detained longer, do the right thing and sit with me in traffic trying not to let our blood pressure rise.
Dr. Robert Merkle
Retired UCC clergyman, Koloa
Simplicity is participating in the adventure of life unburdened by the complexities of yesterday’s failures and successes. A few years ago it was reported that a former heavyweight-boxing champion had to sell his 49-room home because of impending bankruptcy — a clear example of what simplicity is not.
It has been said that life is an adventure through the awe-filled wilderness of awaiting discoveries. Children seem to be born with an intuitive understanding of this truth. Jesus said, “Unless you become as little children you shall not enjoy the Kingdom.”
Adults often cannot wait for the day to end so they can go to bed; children cannot wait for the night to end so they can get out of bed. Their mantra: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad for what we can discover today.” Adults stuff themselves with more stuff — stuffing the void left in the absence of discovery. It is not uncommon for children to forget all about yesterday’s stuff so they are free to make today’s discoveries in simplicity.
Successes and failures are the temporary incidentals that follow in the wake of an adventure-filled life of simplicity and discovery. Forgetting what lies behind, we press on to the upward calling of God in Jesus Christ.
“When the questions are clear and simple, and the answers are clear and simple too, we hear God thinking.” (author unknown).
Rebecca DeRoos
Science of Mind practitioner
How interesting to choose simplicity as a topic when most of us are rushing around to buy the perfect gifts to fill another’s home with light and joy.
Most of us love to receive. The initial receip of a gift or a new purchase is exciting. That‘s the best part. Then it happens — this “gift” becomes used and worn or is put in a corner to mold. It’s difficult to let go… or is it? Garage sales, sharing or simple trades help. Everyone stands to gain, but do we really need more?
Having let go of two homes and households at two separate times without payment or trade felt wonderful. Both times brought relief and joy. Each time life began with the gift of simplicity. I was free to be me without encumbrances.
Letting go and letting God challenged me but the feeling of simplicity filled my life with great promise, hope and a knowing that I was already provided for. My trust had to lay with my Higher Power.
Pastor Wayne Patton
Anahola Baptist Church
Calling for lights, the Philippian jailor fell trembling before the Apostle Paul and Silas and asked one of the most famous questions in New Testament history: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved and your household.”
The simplicity of Paul’s answer reflects the simplicity of the Gospel. We come to Jesus Christ in simple faith and pray something like this: “Dear Father, I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again to give me forgiveness of sins and eternal life. In that He gave Himself for me, I am now giving myself to Him. Be my Savior and Lord from this moment forth.” It is that simple.
Baha’i Faith
Baha’u’llah, prophet-founder of the Baha’i Faith, bestowed upon his eldest son, Abdu’l-Baha, the title of the “Perfect Exemplar.” ‘Abdul-Baha modeled for all Baha’is how a person should live his life.
The simplicity of Abdu’l-Baha’s way of life was described by W. Tudor-Pole, an author and spiritualist who met and interviewed him over a period of nine days in 1910: “The present writer was the guest of ‘Abdu’l-Baha on several occasions in the East and was an eye-witness of the Spartan simplicity in which he lived. The Baha’i leader never possessed more than one coat, he lived on frugal diet and was ever ready to share what little he possessed with the poor. During the war many hundreds of people in Palestine would have died of starvation had it not been for the noble way in which ‘Abdul-Baha cared for them. The memory of a life so completely dedicated to the service of humanity will remain an inspiration with many millions of people throughout the world.”
Topic for two
weeks from today
•Will you speak to us on gifts?
•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.