Two Weeks in Paradise in Hawaii – by Robert Knick

These past two weeks Peg and I have spent days investigating and exploring sunbaked islands. Every day, sunny mornings and cool ocean breezes have warmed our spirits, and cool afternoon rains have refreshed the lush forests.

Sun-baked beaches, brown-skinned swimmers, and laughter come from every corner. Is this paradise, is this what we are promised? Yes, this is a wonderland of beauty, but paradise, I think not. True paradise, as God promised, is not found in earthly pleasure, but in his presence. “In your presence is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11).

In our daily travels, we have one thing missing: purpose. What have we accomplished? Have we served anything or anyone but ourselves and our need to see a different way of life? We see the same homelessness, and the same need here as in Columbus, Ohio but we are unable to help them.

Yes, I’ve enjoyed our time together, our adventures always store such wonderful memories and beautiful pictures to reminisce about later. But this trip leaves something missing, something very important. Usefulness is a purpose to look to tomorrow.

If this is paradise, the prize we all seek, why do I feel boredom at the strangest moments? I’m incapable of helping the man stumbling down the sidewalk on Waikiki Beach or the lady sitting on a bench screaming at someone who’s not there.

If this is paradise, why are these people not strolling through the shops and sandy beaches with us? If this is paradise where are my friends, the ones that I work side by side with every week?

Surely this is but a distraction to mankind, a sun-soaked part of the world that attracts the wealthy and those who serve their needs first. This is a wonderful vacation, but to live this day after day is not for me. Paradise, in the world’s eyes, offers escape—but in god’s kingdom, purpose is found in service, sacrifice, and walking with him.

People flock here for what they believe is paradise, to bask in sun-soaked days and long cool evenings. They seem to use what time they have been blessed with for only selfish wants and pleasures. Maybe I haven’t looked deeply enough to find the purpose of this world. But this is not how I envisioned paradise.

Give me my seasons, the cool spring morning planting a garden. A hot summer day with the smell of fresh cut grass, or better yet alfalfa drying to bale. Give me the cool autumn evening around a campfire with hotdogs and s’mores. A pumpkin patch and children strain under the weight of the great pumpkin. Give me a warm crackling fire in the hearth next to a twinkling tree with packages stacked underneath.

Yes, this is paradise, the life I long for, the joy that makes hearts sing, and the memories that will carry me through. What is missing? The friends and family that make this part of life bearable. And even more so, paradise begins with my best friend, Jesus’s indwelling, and flows out when we walk in his ways. We were born into this time in history to show a light, not of our own making but of Jesus’s.

I believe paradise is not of our own making. Whether sitting in the cab of a tractor, with our son or daughter, learning why we do the things we do, docking lambs’ tails or cutting needle teeth on piglets. This is paradise, this is a life of learning and passing down the secrets we have learned. Baling hay or grinding feed, it’s the life we love, not the locality of the beach, or only sunny days that make paradise. It’s who we share our lives with and the simple pleasures we receive. When we live for Jesus, even the ordinary moments become sacred. You see when we expect Jesus, then we have eternal life. This is just a small part of what’s to come.

Usefulness and accomplishment are so important, it’s the beast inside each of us that feeds our soul. It’s the reason to get up in the morning and the reason to toil in life. Without purpose, we are like a glove without a hand, a man without God. We are an empty husk, looking for the grain of life, easily blown long distances without the weight of seed to grow new life.

Without this, there is no paradise, no victory in life. No reason for me. Without Christ, we are rootless and restless. But in him, we are grounded, fruitful, and at peace. How can we look at cloudless skies or a shimmering ocean sunset and not see a hand that makes this happen, a creator that has an imagination so strong, so vivid that we sit in wonder every day? Looking down at knee-high corn rows or watching our grandchildren playing ball is paradise. We only need to see with our hearts to recognize it, it’s only out our back door. It has been here all along.

“But suppose adventure lay more readily at hand than we realize. Suppose a meaningful adventure could be had every day. Suppose that it could be found in the “ordinary” happenings of a normal life.” Blaise Pascal.

Father, never let us not see Your hand in every passing day. Keep our hearts open to the tiniest adventure, and the smallest miracles. Show us the miracles in life that so many overlook. The laughter of children, the kindness of a stranger, or the nonexistent person with the sign at the stop light. All this is what so many don’t want to see. Make us different.
And Lord, remind us that paradise is not a place to find, but found in a deeper relationship with you. May we seek first your kingdom and trust that all these other things will be added in your time, in Jesus’ name, Amen.