Kamehameha Schools has created a series of Hawaiian-focused devotionals for Lent, to honor the deep Christian faith of our founder Princess Pauahi. The devotionals were designed to be used by staffers, students and others to celebrate the coming of Easter, so please feel free to share them!
Heluhelu Baibala / Scripture Reading
ʻĪ maila kēlā iaʻu, Ua lawa kuʻu lokomaikaʻi nou: no ka mea, ma ka nāwaliwali ka hoʻomaopopo ʻana o koʻu mana. No ia hoʻi, e kaena aku au me ka ʻoluʻolu i kuʻu nāwaliwali, i kau mai ai ka mana o Kristo ma luna iho oʻu. – 2 Korineto 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. The Apostle Paul pleaded with God to remove the “thorn” in his flesh. This scripture tells us God’s response to him. – 2 Corinthians 12:9
He manaʻo o ka limahana
Kumu Kensy Apaka
One morning, my daughter Ava and I were having some quality “daddy-daughter” time. We had a great time playing with her toys… until she spotted the blue bottle of baby snacks. Once it was in her mind, she wouldn’t let it go. She clasped her hands together to say “please” in her cutest toddler stance, and I gave in. I poured a bunch into my hand and motioned for her to come take some. Aiyah! The greedy buggah took ‘em all! Then she wandered away, seemingly forgetting all about me. You can probably guess when she finally came back – after her snacks were all gone!
In my life, I find that the times I’ve felt closest to God were when I was seeking after Him for something – relief from stress, a need to be met, security in the midst of uncertainty, comfort after loss, or healing from injury. Yet after receiving those things, I’d find myself, much like my daughter, wandering away, with my hand full of snacks.
God never leaves us. His power is made “perfect” in our weakness. Why is that? Because it shows off His strength and goodness. When everything is going our way, we may search for God less. It’s the weaknesses we all face that can lead us to search after Him more. God’s ability to work in our lives never changes, but is revealed when we understand our need for Him.
Remember, if you’re going through a rough patch – personally, at work, at home, in your relationships – God’s grace is enough. We can trust in His power (He “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” – Ephesians 3:20). Let’s not be like children who wander away once we get what we want. Let’s count weaknesses as opportunities to draw close to Him. And let’s boast about how He takes care of us.
He manaʻo o ka haumāna
Keiki Kahu Kaʻōiwi Jeong, Grade 8
We find ourselves running to God when we need Him most. Society has put on a mindset, a switch that says if we need something we go to God. When our loved one is dying, a tragedy occurs, or a missile threat happens, we pray and run to God; but after the pain leaves and the crisis clears, we go back to our normal life and routine of running to God when we need Him. Let us not do that. Let’s pour our lives and weaknesses into Him, because the Lord will be strong for us.
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