The Golden Girls Silver Crowns of Obedience

 “Is this the Bible Study Group?” I said as I popped my head above a staircase leading up to the Mokuaikaua Church on Wednesday morning in Kona, HI.

A gentleman seated at the head of the table looked at me like he had seen a ghost. Hawaiian Island time is slow, and I pride myself on being a timely person, so a couple minutes late didn’t seem enough to render the expression on his face, but he replied graciously, “Yes.”    

I was carrying Fredrick (my doggie) in my book bag, as usual, and walked up the stairs into an open room towards the back of the church. When I stood in front of the group merrily, and saw the 15 other sets of eyes on me I had a good idea as to the peculiarity of my presence. I was the youngest person in the room by a minimum of 50 years! I grabbed the first seat at the end of the table, apologized for my tardiness, introduced myself, and lifted my book bag to show baby Fredrick’s sleepy face through the zippers. 

The many eyes that peered at me seemed happy to see me, but still puzzled. Pastor Michael who sat at the other end of the long table reminded me of what I imagine the Apostle Paul to look like in a modern setting, and carried a confident, peaceful nature. Within the first few minutes he stopped the Bible Study and turned his attention on me, “What brought you here today?”

“Jesus!” I replied with a hopeful and childlike smile. 

Getting back to the Bible Study, the loyal groups of attendees were reviewing the story of Samson and Delilah in Judges Chapter 16 of The Bible. As various women took turns reading the story, I recognized how many years were here in this room, and the amount of love the group shared for The Bible, and the gift of Jesus. The child in me giggles at the mention of “she lulled him to sleep on her knees” in Judges 16:19, and I look up from scripture to see if anyone else catches the innuendo, and shares in my immaturity. Not a single smirk from anyone else in the group, and I’m convicted for my innocent behavior. Heck, it’s that perversion that snared Samson into sin, so why am I so entertained? I whisper to myself, “Lord please forgive me.”

“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” – Romans 8:6

Mokuaikaua Church is the oldest and first Church on the island; established in 1820. It amazes me to sit in this blessed building 200 years later carrying my NKJ version of the “Extreme Teen Bible” at 33 years old hearing the same Words that were carried to this island within a book that dates back to the beginning of time. Wrapping my head around it all, I’m grateful.

Pastor Michael led the conversations following the readings, and spoke about Samson and his remarkable faith, strength, and weaknesses. He went on to describe he fell away from the Lord through disobedience, and therefore the Spirit of the Lord departed from him. I drift off thinking about the debauchery of a life I left behind me, and all the times I was naughty in the eyes of our Lord, but that I was still loved and forgiven in that moment. 

Both Samson and Jesus were prophesied, as an angel of the Lord came to pronounce both their births, and with intention to deliver Israel. Both comings miraculous, and a result of divine intervention; Samson’s mother was barren and the mother of Jesus was a virgin. 

Pastor Michael connected the lives of Jesus and Samson, but showed that Samson was only a man, and Jesus is God. 

Jesus: Lived a sinless life / Last prayer for forgiveness

Samson: Lived a life of sin /  Last prayer was to seek vengeance

Samson was a Nazarite, “one separated unto God”, and he was to abstain from drinking wine and cutting his hair. Even though he appeared “obedient” outwardly, it was the lustful desires inside of his heart that ultimately led to his destruction. 

We are all guilty of impure thoughts, and even as I walked into this Bible Study as a “reformed” young woman, clutching her Holy Bible with the same hand as I wear a purity ring on, I have to work hard (daily) to pray away the filth of my humanly perverse mind.

It’s easy for us to put on the outward appearance of being believers, but we must act accordingly. We can show up at church on Sundays, put our offerings in the basket, and “check in” on our social media sites to show the world we are faithful servants of Christ, but it’s the thoughts and actions that apply to our walks too. Sadly, I think many of us relate to Samson these days, many love the Lord, but with all the distractions of a sex filled society, the pressure builds up!

“. . . So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” – Genesis 1:27

When we are called to serve the Lord, as Samson was, we have to fight ourselves to be obedient, and not allow our own desires to trump our adoration for God. I was no angel, and often I can relate to the stories of “harlots” in the Old Testament, but that was also the “Old Kelly”. 

By putting myself outside my “comfort zone” this random Wednesday afternoon, and freely joining a group of senior citizens exploring The Book of Life, I learned; a lot. I was intentionally gifted with this moment in time, to experience the thoughts and actions of people that have lived on earth much longer than I, and carried elite amount of wisdom. 

We are called to “repent” as believers, and change our hearts and minds by turning away from sin. It’s just like when my mind wandered during the Bible reading; I had to change directions on my thoughts.

 Samson’s hair is symbolic to the purity ring I wear on my finger; it’s a special covenant that I have made with God after being forgiven for my past life of sin. My ring and Samson’s hair is an identifying characteristic that sets us apart as “different” in society. It’s a vow made with the Almighty, to honor my body as “Holy” meaning, “set apart for sacred use.”

By having “fellowship” in various instances, joining the ranks of older believers, we grasp a glimpse of what’s important. For example, one of the ladies in the Bible Study made sure to share the date of when her husband ashes would be spread out, and invited the members of congregation to join her for prayer, and his body’s remains to take root into the earth. It’s the love for the people that God gifts us with in our lives that important, and rejoicing for the Day they get sent off to heaven!

My “Ohana” neighbor here is a 84 year old woman, and I’ve often thought to myself that she may be a “seer” because she tends to understand my thoughts, or clarifies understanding on things that I have yet to fully unveil to her. Therefore, I thank the Lord for putting me in the seat to “listen” and “learn” from her. By being around an older community of people, we tend to recognize that the selfish desires of our hearts don’t really seem to matter towards the end of your life. It’s as if the “silver crown of glory” is placed on their head, and gives them peace in their soul; not lusting for anything.

The people inside Mokuaikaua Church acted like people of God because they joyously welcomed my company, all due to the love of a 2700 year old cherished book, The Holy Bible. We must seek to be “Holy” ourselves as believers, and remember to set our mind, body, and soul “apart for sacred use”. We belong to God, and must act accordingly.

We listen to the words of our descendants, and pray that we learn from people like Samson; which causes us to repent from our fleshly desires. I will be the first to admit that it’s not easy to avoid lustful thoughts, but “with God all things are possible”. I intend to write more specifically on this topic, but know that there is a “patient endurance” on this walk with Jesus, and I believe that He has greater plans for those that have faith. (Jeremiah 29:11)

God’s grace on my life is something that I can’t comprehend, but I will bow daily in receiving His mercy and never-ending love.

Love Him, as He first loved us, and love one another as He commands us to, as I love you too!

Mahalo!

April 21, 2018