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 noho mālie, a e ʻike hoʻi ē, ʻO wau nō ke Akua.
E hāpai ʻia au i waena o nā lāhui kanaka;
E hoʻokiʻekiʻe ʻia hoʻi au ma ka honua.
– Nā Halelū 46:10
Be still and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted on the earth.
– Psalm 46:10
He manaʻo o ke kahu
We are living in a fast-paced world where things never slow down. It’s in those moments that it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the pace and end up being stressed out with everything that’s going on around us. With Labor Day coming up, it might be a good time to be still and take a sabbath. What is a Sabbath you ask?
In Genesis, after God had spent six days creating the world, he set the seventh day aside, “Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” (Genesis 2:3)
He didn’t rest because he was tired, but rather paused for a time of reflection. Ke Akua sat back and thought on all that he had done, and it was very good.
The Jews seriously honor this time with their Sabbath or Shabbat practices. For them, their interaction with the world stops, they still themselves, and they reflect on Iehova, not just as individuals but as an ‘ohana. They spend it together in worship with a community of faithful and enjoy leisurely meals as a family. They read the Torah to understand Yahweh’s call for them as a people. They reconnect with one another by spending quality time playing games or taking walks.
In this season of stress, we can use some time to reset, reflect, and renew our spirits. Set aside time for a Sabbath with your ‘ohana. Read His word slowly to hear His voice. Spend time in prayer, lifting the concerns of each family member. Be sure to pray for our state, the nation and the world. Don’t rush through this as this is a time to truly connect with ke Akua.
Make it a point to enjoy a leisurely meal as a family, without any devices or distractions, so you might fully appreciate one another. One relaxing type of meal that my family enjoys is shabu-shabu or hot pot, where the food is cooked in a broth at the table and eaten with a dipping sauce... and LOTS OF RICE. It can be as simple as chicken broth or something more flavorful. We each have our favorite ingredients that we like to include such as napa or shanghai cabbage, broccoli, enoki mushrooms, white mushrooms, tofu, beef, chicken, shrimp, and kamaboko. My moʻopuna like to add udon noodles to the pot. It’s fun, super easy, and everyone can help pull it together. Best of all, if you use disposable plates and bowls, cleanup is minimal. Spend quality time with one another to recognize the gift of ‘ohana.
Sabbath is a gift from God. Let us be sure to appreciate the time to reconnect with ke Akua and with each other. DIsconnect yourself from that which is wearing you down so you might be renewed in body, mind and spirit. Be still and know that He is GOD!
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