Koai koe? Koai au? Koai tatou? I raro tatou I toai maru tamarumaru ei? Who are you? Who am I? Who are we? Under whose shadow we seek for shelter?

We have three major and most notable ancient landmarks and pillars that has kept us strong, resilient and resolute amidst the many global climactic changes, socio-political and constant inflationary economic challenges.

These three landmarks and pillars keep and withhold our lifeline from snapping to the constant pull and tow of exodus/migration of our very own local people abroad, prompting high demand for foreign workers and expatriates to replace them.

Our three pillars and land heritage markers remain unmoved and resilient still:

1. Traditional (500–2025) –1525 years of settlement into our islands,
2. Christianity (1821–2025) – 200 years, and
3. Government (1965–2025) – 60 years marking Internal self-governance in free association and collaboration with New Zealand.

A) Divine providence beckons – Te iku mai nei to te rangi: Proverbs 22:28 – 29, “Remove not the ancient landmark, which your fathers have set. 29, do you see a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men … 28, Auraka e Kiriti I te kena kainga taito; ta to au metua I tuku ra, 29, Te akara ra koe I te tangata I maroiroi I tana taoonga? Ei mua I te aroaro o te ui ariki aia e tu ei; kare aia e tu ki mua I te aronga tarevaka/tinamou-kore ua ra”.

Life lessons show and prove that those who lived with sincere respect, honour and recognition for their respective ancient landmarks and pillars become more content, live in moderation and peace under the shadow of the Almighty who has chosen over them chief custodians and stewards to oversee and ensure. “How good and how pleasant it is for the brethren to live together in unity … I na oki te meitaki e te mataora, kia noo katoa te au taeake ma te tau tikai” – Psalms/Salamo 133:1.

B) No past no present, and no present sees no future – Kare o muri, kare katoa o teianei, kare o teianei, kare katoa e apopo: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever … Okotai rai o Iesu Mesia tu, I nanai, I teianei ra, e tuatau ua atu” – Hebrews/Ebera 13:8.

C) Godly providence revealed in human integrity – Te ki o te atua ka akaari ia mai naroto i te tangata tiratiratu: Isaiah 51:1 – 2; “Hearken to me, you that follow righteousness, you that seek the Lord: Look to the rock whence you are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence you are digged. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah that bear you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him … E akarongo mai kotou iaku, e tei aruaru ki te tuatua-tika, e tei kimi ia Iehova/Iesu Mesia ra: ka akara ana ki te mato I paoia mai ei kotou na, e ki te tipoko o te vaarua I koia mai ei kotou. 2, Ka akara na ki to kotou metua tane kia Aberahama, e kia Sara I anau mai ei kotou na: okotai ua aia iaku I kapiki atu ei; kua akaora ra au iaia, e kua akamaata au iaia”.

Those that stayed and laboured long in business, served and support local economy God blesses and increases their portion with no missing years, just as he has promised Abraham and called him “the father of faith and of many nations”, so shall we also be, if we are content, live in moderation with total trust in the One and Only true God of Israel, who blessed and prospered Abraham and Sarah.

D) The three pillars/ancient landmarks, Christianity and government in unity – Te aronga mana/kena-kainga, keresitiano e te kavamani akarotai ia: Proverbs/Maseli 8:15 – 17, “By Me (Jesus Christ, King of kings – Christianity) kings (High Chiefs/Arikis) reign and princes decree justice. 16, By Me (Jesus Christ, Lord of lords) princes’ rule, and nobles (traditional leaders), even all the judges of the earth (human government shall be upon his shoulder Is.9:6) … Noku (Iesu Mesia, Ariki o te au ariki), I ariki ei te au ariki (Ui Ariki), e I akatupu ei te ui ariki I te tuatua-tika (Iesu Mesia te Tuatua-tika). 16, Noku I tutara’I te ui ariki ra, e te aronga mana, te au akava katoa o te enua nei (Te Kavamani Amani Ture, Au Akava tiaki e te paruru I te iti tangata). Kua akarotai’ia nga Pou Kuru e Toru (Te Ui Ariki e te Aronga Mana, te Evangelia e te Kavamani). Okotai katoatoa i te akatupu i te tuatua-tika ko iesu mesia. Kare atu e turanga ngateitei e te tapu i teianei ao katoatoa mei to tatou basileia, te manonoia mainei e to teianei ao – ka noo matakite tatou ma te paruru matutu.

E) Chief cornerstone and foundation to all human civilisations – Toka tiava e te tango ngaueue-kore ki tetai uatu taokotaianga iti tangata: John/Ioane 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed … Na te Tamaiti kotou e akarangatira ra, kua rangatira tika ia kotou”.

Conclusion/Taopenga

There is absolutely no other foundation for our earthly and eternal salvation but Jesus Christ. Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven, given among men whereby we must be saved … Kare rava oki e ora I tetai ke: kare atu oki e ingoa I akakiteia mai ki te tangata I raro ake I teianei rangi, e ora’I tatou nei – mari ko IESU MESIA, AMENE!

Have a safe, blessed and Jesus focussed weekend. Kia ora, kia meitaki rava, ma te karo tinamou kia Iesu Mesia anake I teia openga epetoma, Amene!

• Bishop Tutai Pere of the Apostolic Church