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
Bible reading
ʻO ʻoukou nō ka paʻakai o ka honua: akā, inā pau ka liʻu o ka paʻakai, pehea lā ia e liʻu hou ai? ʻAʻohe ona mea e pono ai ma ia hope, e kiola wale ia i waho e hehi ʻia ai e nā kānaka. – Mateo 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. – Matthew 5:13
He manaʻo o ke kahu
KS Hawai‘i Kahu Kaunaloa Boshard KSK’77
Over the past few months, our family has been trying to get out of the house on the weekends and into the water. We have two surf spots on the Hilo side that we frequent, Waiuli and Honoliʻi. When we are in Kona, we can drive down from our house and be in the restorative waters of Kohonaiki in 15 minutes.
All the beaches that we enjoy bless us with a revitalizing sense of peace that comes when we are spending time in it and after. That is of course unless the waves are ginormous, and I find myself constantly duck diving my board to get back out to the line-up so I can catch my breath. Nevertheless, being in God’s blue creation has a great therapeutic and curative effect on our whole well-being.
Have you ever wondered why? My oldest son Kekaimalie, who is a County of Hawaiʻi lifeguard, told me that the kai is great for our skin. Really? Upon further review, I discovered that saltwater contains these skin-loving minerals: magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sulfur.
Seawater also contains many vitamins, and amino acids that when combined with the minerals promote healthier skin. I was also surprised that saltwater combats acne-causing bacteria and various skin infections. In other words, you feel better when swimming in the sea because you are spending time in God’s Natural Spa treatment designed to restore your overall sense of happiness. No wonder everyone who goes for a dip in the waters of their favorite kahakai comes back with a smile on their face and stride in their step – a spa treatment afterglow.
Today’s scripture written by Matthew the former tax-collector turned detail-oriented disciple of Christ Jesus retells Jesus’ teaching about how our testimonies are to impact others. The passage refers to our ability to share our faith with people like it is an invitation to a lūʻau.
Like the paʻakai that makes food inviting to experience, we season our words and actions with all our God flavors of faith before others, we are inviting them to taste what is good. Likewise, being immersed in the saltwater has that same sense of transformative power that we all know and need.
For our lāhui, the saltwater illustration may even be a better reinforcement of how God’s blessing of faith upon us endures. Eat a good meal and that memory lasts for about an hour. Enjoy a good surf session in the kai and you have created a moment that will summon up stories of e ola for a lifetime.
Jesus is the chief promoter of our healing and our wellness. He has promised us that our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health are all in His faithful and loving hands. When we take a dip into scripture and spend time swimming in His ocean of teachings for righteous living, we are restored even through the toughest of times.
So, the next time you go swimming, surfing, or paddling in the ocean, remember the refreshing impact it has on you and how the healing power of its contents calls you back for more. That invitation to return is the therapeutic power of Jesus in the saltwater!
TAGS
daily devotional,christian values,our faith,ks hawaii
CATEGORIES
Kaipuolono Article, Regions, Themes, Culture, Community, Hawaii Newsroom, KS Hawaii Home, Kapalama Newsroom, Kapalama Home, Maui Newsroom, KS Maui Home, Newsroom, Campus Programs, Hawaii, Kapalama, Maui, Health and Wellness
Print with photos
Print text only
