• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are
• Editor’s note: “Spiritual leaders answer” is a weekly column inviting Kaua‘i’s religious and spiritual leaders to share their doctrine’s perspective on a suggested subject. Every Friday, a topic is printed, inviting a response. Due to space limitations, submissions are edited. Thoughts or suggestions for future topics are always welcome. Next week the suggested topic is animals. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
Baha’i Faith
The Baha’i of Kaua‘i
As a sign of His mercy God has bestowed virtues and attributes upon each person. Sometimes these qualities are not so obvious, and we must look beyond the outward behavior of a person to search for those latent qualities.
In the Baha’i Faith we are instructed to overlook the shortcomings of our fellow man. For instance, if we observe nine good qualities and one bad one, we should recognize the nine and overlook the one. And, if we see only one good quality and nine bad qualities, we should concentrate on the one and overlook the others.
The Baha’i writings provide the following guidance: “When, however, thou dost contemplate the innermost essence of all things, and the individuality of each, thou wilt behold the signs of thy Lord’s mercy in every created thing…”
Dr. Robert P. Merkle, retired clergy
United Church of Christ, Koloa
Signs keep us on course until such time as we can see clearly our intended destination. “We see as through a glass darkly” therefore we require signs to keep us pointed in the right direction until such time as we can “see as face-to-face.”
The problem with signs is that they can be mistaken for the destination. All statements about God, all emotional responses to God, all benevolent actions taken in response to an awareness of the presence of God, are only signs pointing us to God.
Experiencing the right emotions, taking the right actions and professing the right beliefs are no more than signs indicating that we are headed in the right direction.
Kahu James Fung
Lihu‘e Christian Church
I think of the man who was on a diet and resolved to give up pastry. He told everyone in his office that he was so committed to his new lifestyle that he actually changed his driving route to work so he wouldn’t drive by his favorite pastry shop. So imagine their surprise one morning, several weeks later, when he showed up with some goodies. He explained to them that God wanted him to stop at his old bakery. He said God gave him a “sign.”
He relayed the story of how he prayed that if God wanted him to stop at the popular bakery that there would be a parking space right in front of the store. And sure enough there it was but he admitted that he had to drive around the block nine times before he found it.
It’s interesting how people see a sign, a sign that they want to see. But the ability to truly see a divine sign from God indicates spiritual discernment. Yes, God does give us clear signals. The key is having a receptive heart and a willing spirit that is responsive to God’s prompting.
Pastor Wayne Patton
Anahola Baptist Church
Two pilots in New Zealand were flying a home-built, micro-light airplane over a valley when their engine started sputtering, coughed and died. They had run out of fuel. Being Christians they prayed that somehow they would glide over the ridge and find a safe landing place. They made it over the ridge, found a grassy strip and managed to land their plane safely. As they rolled to a stop they looked up and there in front of them was a twenty-foot tall sign reading, “Jesus is Lord.”
The New Testament uses the word sign to describe God’s powerful intervention in history. It is a general reference to all miraculous activity.
This does not mean that God will do whatever we ask or that He will perform signs randomly at our bidding. God is sovereign, omniscient, and infinitely wise. He knows what is best and what is not.
But when we are out of fuel and our engine is sputtering and we come in for a landing as God answers our prayer we need to remember the words on the sign at the end of the runway of answered prayer: Jesus is Lord.
Topic for two
weeks from today
• Will you speak to us on praise?
• Spiritual leaders are invited to e-mail responses of three to five paragraphs to pwoolway@kauaipubco.com.
• Deadline each week is 5 p.m. Tuesday.
