Nov. 22, 2020
Contributed by KS Hawai‘i Kahu Kaunaloa Boshard KSK’77
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
Inā i manaʻo ʻia kekahi he haipule | Anyone who sets himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. James 1:26-27 |
He manaʻo o ke kahu
Last week, as I drove through the front gate of our campus, I was reminded about how blessed we are to be working! I know we have all had to readjust our lives to new and fluid schedules that continue to make our past patterns of daily routines a brief memory. However, we are working!
It is so easy to get bogged down with the daily grind of trying to adapt to the next change in our calendar of events. Yet, the truth of the matter is we are so thankful in our household because we are not only working, but we are relatively healthy, and we have each other. So how do we keep our focus on being hopeful and optimistic?
In this first chapter of James, he strongly focuses on what it means to have real faith. He directs our thoughts to reflect on how we respond to God by being faithful in our ministering to people, by seeking godly wisdom, and by utilizing self-control when we speak.
He is teaching us that lip service is not holy, but our actions speak louder than our words. James is calling us out! Therefore, these last two paukū (verses) that complete his manaʻo are firm reminders of what being a Christian is really about – looking out for those in need!
Many of us know kūpuna who have lost their spouses, many of us know families who have been divided, and there are those of us who know the anguish of children who have lost a parent or parents. These situations are complex and if you are willing to ask the pono questions; if you are willing to stand in the gap for the widows and orphans and do something positive for people who are reeling in despair then James is praising Jehovah for your gracious actions of aloha.
You may be asking, “How do I get involved with helping or supporting those people who are in need? How do I kōkua the people who are homeless, who are lonely and who are hungry?”
You don’t need to start a soup kitchen in your neighborhood, but what is possible is supporting one of the many non-profit organizations or churches that deal with people who are suffering. Maybe it means becoming a volunteer, maybe it means sharing a monthly donation, or maybe it means looking after a loved one.
We were never meant to do ministry on our own, but rather to join hands with others and have faith in Jesus. In doing so, we are being Christ-like to those who need real care from people of real faith. Make a difference to someone in need today!