• 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 affirmations. The topic at the end of the column is for the following week.
Kahu James Fung
Lihu‘e Christian Church
By my kitchen sink is a plaque that says, “In the cookie of life friends are the chocolate chips.” Jesus would agree. There became a point in his relationship with his disciples when he said to them that he no longer considered them mere disciples, that, in fact, they were his friends (John 15: 14-17). He was removing the boundaries that maintained a formal distance between a respected rabbi and his humble students. He wanted his friends to know how precious they were to him. He wanted them to know not only his esteem for them but also his affection.
Jesus had other friends (Luke 10:38) with whom he could drop by without an invitation. This was especially important for someone of his reputation who was stalked by detractors eager to catch him saying something that could be construed as blasphemous to the accepted Jewish doctrines or disloyal to the Roman emperor — both of which had dire consequences.
Friends are those who make room for you in their heart. They accept you for who you are, but also look for and encourage your best. They are not content to sit back and watch you waste your life, succumbing to self-limiting behaviors. Real friends desire nothing less than that you fulfill your personal destiny: Becoming all that God intends for you to be.
Baha’i Faith
The Baha’i of Kaua‘i
“All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” by Robert Fulghum is a poem that is frequently quoted by early childhood educators. But actually, many essential attitudes and skills are learned earlier. In preschool children are taught that everyone in their school is their friend. Preschoolers are encouraged to play with everyone and to treat each with dignity and fairness. Any attempt to leave anyone out of a game is met with the admonition, “We are all friends.” Children are helped to settle their differences without hostility or violence.
If only we would retain these early lessons and apply them to all of our adult relationships. Imagine how much happier and more peaceful our world would be if we applied the following Baha’i quote to our daily lives.
“Cleanse ye your eyes, so that ye behold no man as different from yourselves. See ye no strangers; rather see all men as friends, for love and unity come hard when ye fix your gaze on otherness. And in this new and wondrous age, the holy writings say that we must be at one with every people; that we must see neither harshness nor injustice, neither malevolence, nor hostility, nor hate, but rather turn our eyes toward the heaven of ancient glory. For each of the creatures is a sign of God, and it was by the grace of the Lord and His power that each did step into the world; therefore they are not strangers, but in the family; not aliens, but friends, and to be treated as such.”
Dr. Robert P. Merkle
Retired Clergyperson
United Church of Christ
Friends come in many forms and friendships are formed for many reasons. For those whose fundamental concern in life (either because of circumstances or habits) is merely to survive (both in this life and in a life hereafter), the world of people is divided into two groups, allies and enemies; those who are for me and those who are against me; friends and foes.
For those whose fundamental concern is to belong (in this and an after life), the world of people is divided into insiders and outsiders; good guys and bad guys; equals and those who are either inferior or superior; friends and those with whom it is good to be only friendly.
For those whose fundamental intention is to cooperate, the world of people is divided into teammates and either possible teammates or opponents; friends and potential friends.
For those whose fundamental intention in life is a passion to comprehend what we all share in common, a compassion for all emerges spontaneously — everyone is seen and responded to as a friend.
Pastor Wayne Patton
Anahola Baptist Church
Friendship is a cake with nine ingredients. Think in terms of Galatians 5:22: “… love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
Just as flour is the main ingredient in a cake, so love is the main ingredient in a good friendship. We have to be sensitive to the needs of the other person. That sensitivity flows out of our relationship with Jesus Christ. The same is true for joy. Emotions are contagious. People like to be around those who are upbeat in their attitude. Joy flows out of our relationship with Jesus Christ. The same is true for all the other ingredients. Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. When we find our basic security in life comes from knowing Jesus Christ it frees us to be loving friends who can give without asking a return.
As we cultivate our friendship with Jesus Christ we grow richer in every way. The Apostle John put it this way: “If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another…”
Topic for two
weeks from today
• Will you speak to us on healing?
• 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.
