Kamana'o'i'o
Kamana'o 'i 'o, o ko ka kou akua, faithful, faithful is our God.
Kamana'o 'i 'o, o ko ka kou akua, faithful, faithful is our God.
A monthly highlight for me is attending an Iona Wee Sing gathering at a church next to the Tower of London. It's usually a small, friendly group of 15-30 people who turn up to sing songs from Iona (Wild Goose), the world, and its friends. (Meaning Bernadette Farrell, Marty Haugen, Shirley Erena Murray, Taize, etc.) [And it's led by great music leaders including Alison Adam and Emily Walker.] Tonight we sang a favourite song of mine, Kamana'o'i'o. A song from Hawaii, I love it because of the gorgeous F natural that the altos sing on the first "i". The tune and harmonies throughout lead the song to be a singable celebration of beauty, due to the inherent beauty of the music.
I pondered the text of the song - faithful is our God. God has certainly been faithful to me - leading me through tough and dark times, granting me fabulous friends who enter at just the right moments, creating innumerable opportunities for joy ... and for growth and learning. But I ask as I say these things, what does it mean for God to be faithful? I try to be loyal to my friends, and I consider that being faithful to them. Honouring promises I make is being faithful. Trying to live with integrity, walking and doing what I speak - is an attempt to be faithful. But faithfulness isn't just about loyalty. Being faithful must also mean being full of faith, no? And having faith means not having certainty. Faith isn't the opposite of doubt, but the result of claiming a higher "power" or preference than doubt. So how is God faithful? Is God uncertain? Maybe God is uncertain how we humans might choose to respond to God's love. If God is faithful, that would mean regardless of the doubt God must have for God's creation actually obeying and surrendering all every day and every moment, God chooses a higher preference. Perhaps God chooses to preference being loyal, and everpresent, even when we fall short of our duty to God and are unfaithful. If so, that is magnificent - and so undeserved! Who are we, but humble recipients?
May I have the grace to receive, and the wisdom and courage to respond.
Kamana'o 'i 'o, o ko ka kou akua, faithful, faithful is our God.
A monthly highlight for me is attending an Iona Wee Sing gathering at a church next to the Tower of London. It's usually a small, friendly group of 15-30 people who turn up to sing songs from Iona (Wild Goose), the world, and its friends. (Meaning Bernadette Farrell, Marty Haugen, Shirley Erena Murray, Taize, etc.) [And it's led by great music leaders including Alison Adam and Emily Walker.] Tonight we sang a favourite song of mine, Kamana'o'i'o. A song from Hawaii, I love it because of the gorgeous F natural that the altos sing on the first "i". The tune and harmonies throughout lead the song to be a singable celebration of beauty, due to the inherent beauty of the music.
I pondered the text of the song - faithful is our God. God has certainly been faithful to me - leading me through tough and dark times, granting me fabulous friends who enter at just the right moments, creating innumerable opportunities for joy ... and for growth and learning. But I ask as I say these things, what does it mean for God to be faithful? I try to be loyal to my friends, and I consider that being faithful to them. Honouring promises I make is being faithful. Trying to live with integrity, walking and doing what I speak - is an attempt to be faithful. But faithfulness isn't just about loyalty. Being faithful must also mean being full of faith, no? And having faith means not having certainty. Faith isn't the opposite of doubt, but the result of claiming a higher "power" or preference than doubt. So how is God faithful? Is God uncertain? Maybe God is uncertain how we humans might choose to respond to God's love. If God is faithful, that would mean regardless of the doubt God must have for God's creation actually obeying and surrendering all every day and every moment, God chooses a higher preference. Perhaps God chooses to preference being loyal, and everpresent, even when we fall short of our duty to God and are unfaithful. If so, that is magnificent - and so undeserved! Who are we, but humble recipients?
May I have the grace to receive, and the wisdom and courage to respond.
posted by Sharon at 10:05 PM
0 comments
