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 kuʻu ʻuhane, e hilinaʻi aku ʻoe i ke Akua wale nō; no ka mea, nona mai kaʻu mea e kali nei.
– Na Halelū 62:5

My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my hope is from Him.
– Psalm 62:5

He manaʻo o ke kahu
Have you ever noticed how much time we spend waiting? Waiting for the hot water to start flowing so we can take a warm shower. Waiting for the coffee to brew or for the barista to prepare your order. Waiting in line for the person in front of you to find that extra nickel to pay for his or her groceries. Waiting for ke Akua to answer your prayers.

We have a hard time waiting because we have become an instant society. Modern conveniences cut down the wait time and give us instant access to things. But little do we realize that waiting is necessary to bring out the full essence of some things.

The other day, I made pipikaula. For the meat to absorb the flavor of the marinade, it had to soak overnight. If not, it wouldn’t be very tasty. Waiting builds intensity. Think of all the things that have meant so much more because it took time. Ke Akua will never act until the time is right. So wait.

We wait because we may not know the answers ourselves, so we seek the naʻauao (knowledge) of someone of greater intellect than us. We sit in the waiting room while the doctor treats others because we want answers for the ailment that are causing us distress.

Eugene Peterson, an American Presbyterian minister, scholar, theologian, author and poet, wrote in his book “God’s Message for Each Day” – “My soul waits. Another will is greater, wiser and more intelligent than my own. So, I wait. Waiting means there is another whom I trust and from whom I receive. My will, important and essential as it is, finds a will that is more important, more essential. I begin to pray by attempting to manipulate the will of God. I end by putting myself in a position to be moved by His will. Waiting in prayer is a disciplined refusal to act before God acts.”

This is called trust, hilinaʻi, and that is how the pauku (verse) in ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi reads. Waiting means that we’re not just sitting here. Waiting means we’re getting ready for action. We are preparing our minds and our hearts for any possible response. While we wait, ke Akua is setting the stage, getting everything in place, making other things happen first, so when it is time for us to move, all is maikaʻi (good).

So, I urge you to learn to wait, to wait silently listening for ke Akua’s voice to call out to you. Wait expectantly, looking with great anticipation for the revealing of the Lord’s will. Wait with the knowledge that He is our hope – our manaʻolana – which never disappoints.

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