Pono and Community
June 16, 2020
By Jenny Sung, Executive Coordinator
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
One of the most memorable groups I’ve ever been part of was a Micah Group. Micah Groups were an initiative of Fuller Seminary’s Ogilvie Institute of Preaching – a multiethnic, trans-denominational movement (based on the Bible verse Micah 6:8) of diverse Christian men and women leaders addressing pressing issues of justice. Being part of the first Micah group in the state of Hawaii (October of 2015), I was excited to participate in thoughtful dialogue amongst different viewpoints and perspectives. These conversations required more listening than talking; more surrender than persuasion.
In one of our monthly Micah group discussions, a pastor and Intervarsity ministry staff member taught us about the Hawaiian word pono. Moani had been integral in helping the group reach further into boundaries that are laced with complexities of the annexation of the state, the injustice some Native Hawaiians feel, and the bridges that must be built as we demonstrate the love of Christ to one another.
After hearing more than one pastor say, “We cannot experience the fullness of revival without the native Hawaiian people of this land,” Moani felt God inspired her with a vision that would stimulate the reconciliation between Christians and native Hawaiians. Her vision became Ho‘olohe Pono, an experience based on the Hawaiian phrase that means to listen carefully, well, and rightly.
Pono means righteousness or justice, and she explained how the word related to community. If the whole of the community is not well, then no one is well. The idea of pono encompasses the whole of the people and community. It is about all of us, together, perpetuating righteousness in our land. We are all called into community.
In the book “Welcoming Justice: God's Movement Toward Beloved Community,” John Perkins writes: “God made His love visible to the world in the person of Jesus Christ. And Jesus Christ made His love visible to the world in His unselfish death on the cross for our sins. So it becomes our responsibility as the Body of Christ to so live out His life on earth as to make the love of God visible in our time and in our community” (p. 33).
As followers of Jesus, we follow a greater call to join His movement of His mission in this world, from where we currently are to beyond the walls we stay in. We live in a fallen world, the signs so evident around us. How do we make the love of God visible in all areas of life? How do we contribute to the wholeness of community?
Even though it’s been five years since this particular discussion of pono and community, I feel the questions are still relevant, now more than ever. I pray that we will act justly and love mercy, walking humbly with our God as we cross boundaries from church to unchurched, from similarity to diversity, from fear to courage in all our communities and environments, passionately engaged in God’s mission in the world.
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for loving us and sending us Your Son, Jesus. Help us to be the people of God, making Your love visible to all areas of life. Help us to bring the wholeness of community to our lands. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and guide us with Your wisdom. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Share this with a friend: