Hawaii’s nickname is “the Aloha State”. Meanings for Aloha include “love, “mercy”, “hello,” and “good-bye”.
Hawaiians have a reputation for being friendly. What a nice reputation to have. Like our greeting in Hawaii God calls us to be friendly to strangers. Titus 1:8 tells us, “Instead, they must be friendly to strangers and enjoy doing good things. They must also be sensible, fair, pure, and self-controlled.”
My friend and business partner for nearly 25 years was Owen. Owen passed away several years ago. Owen was a native of Hawaii, his sister and mother still live there His ashes have been scattered here.
In nearly 25 years, I don’t think I ever walked through a door behind Owen. He always managed to position himself to open a door, and refused to through in front of anyone. I never heard him express a negative thought, or say anything unkind about anyone.
Owen had no vices except probably working too hard. He loved his family and seemed to thrive on serving others through his work.
I wish I was more like Owen. Sadly Owen was not a Christian, but in many ways exemplified virtues we as Christians are called to, but often fail to display.
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” Phillipians 4:8
Who is God calling you to be friendly to, to reach out to, to serve?
Extra Touch Tours is looking forward to returning to Hawaii with some of you in January.