The early settlers of our region remain significant to our history and our future.
Phil Strong
Māori landed in Kawhia harbour and many travelled across the hills to settle in Waipa. Generations of tribes covered the lush, green hills and fertile land along the rivers, establishing pa sites and territories.
Christian immigrants arrived with passionate intent to integrate into local culture and (one version of) history shows partnership in land, farming, schooling, and faith. Early missionaries discovered Māori to be deeply spiritual and worshippers of Atua with some singing Christian hymns.
The local, historic, iconic St Johns building on Arawata Street, Te Awamutu, stands tall as a monument to partnership between all peoples and its grounds are tapu, holding memorial to both foe and friend.
St John’s Anglican Church, Te Awamutu, 1909
Pioneers are gifted with the fortitude to build what they envision. We, too, can carry the legacy of building what we hope for.
Biblical history shows thousands of years of pioneers who established legacy through faith in the Almighty God, whom Māori called Atua and the Hebrews called Yahweh. A wise question to ask is ‘what can we learn from them?’
One answer comes from the Bible’s letter to the Hebrews. Buried near the end is a powerful phrase we could all benefit from; “Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen.”
I believe hope is a powerful force that drives us to seek a better life. Hope gives birth to vision and creates a picture of something we aspire to. The scripture quoted proclaims faith to be the key which establishes something of substance from our hope. This means we obtain certainty and assurance of the future through our faith.
This is further expressed in the second half of the quoted Bible verse, clearly stating there is evidence of things not yet seen. How amazing is that? We can shape evidence through faith!
This is the key to a life of Christian faith. We believe Atua/Yahweh to be the Creator of all things who invites all people into a life of togetherness. When we respond with our ‘yes,’ our faith in His Word is making something of substance that might not yet be visible.
Pioneers build in the same way, and I encourage you to think like this as we enter a fresh, new year. You can create a better reality through your faith in what you believe in, carrying the conviction that leads to certain action. Bible dictionaries explain this further, extending our understanding to take us to the point where we carry a firm persuasion or revelation of things we do not yet see.
What could life look like if we lived with this level of commitment to making our world better? I believe we would shake off limiting beliefs, negative feedback, and hope-less commentary. We would be pioneers who establish a better world for future generations.
One critical element of faith is where you direct it. If you have faith in yourself alone, you can be sure to fall short. Like our Māori and Pakeha ancestors, I suggest you try faith in Yahweh.
St John’s Church. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
