Mar. 12, 2023
“Ua ninini ʻia mai ke aloha i ke Akua i loko o ko kākou mau naʻau”
God's love has been poured out into our hearts
Heluhelu Baibala
ʻAʻole ia wale nō, ke hauʻoli nei nō hoʻi kākou i nā pōpilikia; ke ʻike nei, e hana ana ka pōpilikia i ke ahonui; A ʻo ke ahonui i ka hoʻāʻo ʻana; a ʻo ka hoʻāʻo ʻana i ka manaʻolana: A ʻo ua manaʻolana lā ʻaʻole ia i hoʻohilahila; no ka mea, ua ninini ʻia mai ke aloha i ke Akua i loko o ko kākou mau naʻau e ka ʻUhane Hemolele, i hāʻawi ʻia mai iā kākou.- Roma 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.- Romans 5:3-5
Ka Manaʻo o ke Kumu Kanani Franco, Christian Education instructor, KS Maui
One of my fondest memories growing up was when I was employed by Maui Pineapple Company. For six grueling weeks I woke at 5 a.m., picked and “de-crowned” pineapples and cleared weeds the size of trees from the fields. I was 15- years-old and had never worked so hard in my life. I would return home covered in dirt, exhausted and competely drained. But no matter how difficult the task of the day was, my aspiration to finish was greater.
In this chapter of Romans, the apostle Paul reminds us of the hope and peace that we have through our Lord, Jesus Christ. As Christians, difficulties will arise. Life will have its obstacles and there will be moments that will leave us exhausted and drained. The scripture says, “but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
As we pause on the 3rd Sunday of Lent, let us reflect on the love of God that has been poured out into our hearts. For it is this love that gives us hope and perseverance to overcome obstacles and strengthen our growth in Him.
Ka Manaʻo o ka haumāna Jai Viela, KSM’24
As a child, my parents constantly pushed me to play sports. I would dread going to each practice and game and I always felt like giving up. But there was always something that told me to keep going. Overcoming all those challenges paid off and has made me a successful person and has built my character.
We always say that God has a plan. We don’t know what that plan entails or how the plan will work, but we know we must trust the plan that he set for us. At times it’s hard to realize that challenges, setbacks, and struggles will build us to be strong people. But, in the end, these challenges will strengthen our relationship with God and assures us that if we put our trust in the Lord, it will be okay.
As we walk through Lent, remember the challenges that Jesus overcame for us to have eternal life. And know that the challenges in your path will lead to a greater reward.