Ka Ipu o Lono shares weekly devotionals to provide spiritual enrichment to members of the Kamehameha Schools ‘ohana. For more inspiration, visit the KS “Our faith” website.
Heluhelu Baibala
E kauoha aku ʻoe i ka poʻe waiwai i kēia ao, mai hoʻokiʻekiʻe ko lākou naʻau, mai hilinaʻi i ka waiwai ʻoiaʻiʻo ʻole, akā, i ke Akua ola, nāna nā mea a pau i hāʻawi lokomaikaʻi mai iā kākou e ʻoluʻolu ai.
E hana maikaʻi hoʻi lākou, i lako hoʻi lākou i nā hana maikaʻi, i mākaukau hoʻi i ka hāʻawi wale aku me ka lokomaikaʻi; E hoʻāhu ana i kumu maikaʻi na lākou iho, no ka manawa e hiki mai ana, i paʻa aku ai lākou i ke ola mau loa. – Timoteo I 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. – Timothy 6:17-19
He manaʻo o ke kahu
What does it take to be great? We encourage our haumāna and our keiki to be great. We ourselves strive to be great. When we think of those who are or were great, Kamehameha ‘Ekahi comes to mind. Stories of his greatness are well known- warrior, battlefield strategist, politician, unifier of the islands, and protector of his people. He did much to build a future for the kingdom of Hawaiʻi. When you arrive at Puʻukohola Heiʻau, you are greeted with this quote, “E ʻoni wale nō ʻoukou i kuʻu pono ʻaʻole e pau.” “Endless is the good that I have given you to enjoy.” That was the hope of one who was great, to do good for his people so they may have a future.
Not all can be the level of Kamehameha the Great, but we all have the ability to be great. The Apostle Paul tells us key points to reach that level, “do not to be conceited or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” We need to rely on ke Akua and not on ourselves. To see us as the source of all things, makes us gods. There is one greater who is the source of all things.
We are also to, “do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for yourselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that you may take hold of that which is truly life.” This tells us our focus needs to be on others, to do that which builds their lives and their hope for a future. This was what Jesus was about. He told his disciples, “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26)
Through the example of Kamehameha ‘Ekahi, and as we live out our lives as Christ’s disciples, we see that to be great means that we become alakaʻi lawelawe, servant leaders, to do good for others, supporting those in need, and sharing ke aloha o ke Akua.
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