昔日真理報 -

今天，在我遭到別人持槍搶劫的那個突如其來的瞬間，那些在我生命中毫無價值的一切在那刻層層剝落。我看到了真正有價值的—我的妻子、家庭和我的人生目標。在那驚魂的幾秒裡，神打開我的雙眼，讓我明白了何為"價值"的真正意義。對那個罪犯來說，我不過只值二百美金。有些時候，生活的競賽是你死我活的，身處其中的人們就好像是為達目的而爭得頭破血流的老鼠。許多人的目標都跟他們的個人利益有關，曾經的我也不例外。但更多時候，我們被個人的雄心牽著鼻子走，蒙蔽了自己的雙眼，以至於重新定義了我們心中何為真正有"價值"的東西。你的夢想是不是取決於你存款的數字？你心中的激情是否被利己之事點燃？當冰冷的槍口指著我的那一剎那，浮現在我眼前的，是那些真正有意義的事情，一切如此清晰—是神，賦予了我生命的價值。在祂的眼中，我比罪犯眼中的金錢更寶貴”

Today, after work, I was robbed at gunpoint. All of a sudden, everything in my life that had no meaning was stripped away in order that I may see the things that had true value in my life — my wife, my family and my purpose. In those short seconds of crime, God opened my eyes to understand exactly what worth is. To the criminal, I was only worth $200USD. In the human rat race, we all race to achieve a goal. For many, the goal may be something of a personal gain. I, too, have had these goals. Many times we are distracted and blinded by selfish ambition. We continually redefine what the true meaning of worth is for our lives. Let me ask you: Is that dream of yours composed by dollar figures? Is that passion in your heart fuelled by personal gain? I can tell you that when the barrel of the gun was pointed at me, the things that were of true value were suddenly made clear. I am certain that God values my life. I am worth more than the monetary figure the criminal saw.

2012年5月22日，下午5時左右，遭到持槍搶劫—神如此美善！

May 22, 2012. Approximately 5:00pm. Robbed at gunpoint. God is so good.

除了遭遇生死關頭以外，事件發生的時間點之精準也強烈地震撼了我的靈魂。在前一天的5月22日，我與妻子Michelle倆人重新開始了中斷了好一陣的靈修。在這段與神同行的路上，我們正面臨著一些挑戰。那天正好讀到以賽亞書44章1-13節，雖然神像是在重申祂的應許，但我並未真正理解這段經文。當天的讀經，並與妻在飯桌上簡短討論之時，我根本不知道神為我安排的是什麼。但今天，經文向我展現了它所飽含的深義。神用這段經文親自安慰我，向我證明祂是美善的：

The incident was striking to me, not only because it was a life and death situation, but also because of the exact timing. The day before, May 22nd, my wife and I finally did our devotions after a while of hiatus. We had faced challenges in our walk with God but on that day we read Isaiah 43:1-13. Although it sounded like a re-assuring chapter, it made no sense at the time when I read it. There was only a brief discussion about it at the dinner table and that was it. However, today the passage revealed itself in full completion and comfort. God is good.

"雅各啊，創造你的耶和華，以色列啊，造成你的那位，現在如此說：你不要害怕！因為我救贖了你。我曾提你的名召你，你是屬我的。你從水中經過，我必與你同在；你逿過江河，水必不漫過你；你從火中行過，必不被燒，火焰也不著在你身上。因為我是耶和華你的神，是以色列的聖者你的救主；我已經使埃及作你的贖價，使古實和西巴代替你。因我看你為寶為尊；又因我愛你，所以我使人代替你，使列邦人替換你的生命。不要害怕，因我與你同在；我必領你的後裔從東方來，又從西方招聚你。我要對北方說，交出來！對南方說，不要拘留！將我的眾子從遠方帶來，將我的眾女從地極領回，就是凡稱為我名下的人，是我為自己的榮耀創造的，是我所做成，所造作的。你要將有眼而瞎、有耳而聾的民都帶出來！任憑萬國聚集；任憑眾民會合。其中誰能將此聲明，並將先前的事說給我們聽呢？他們可以帶出見證來，自顯為是；或者他們聽見便說：這是真的。耶和華說：你們是我的見證，我所揀選的僕人。既是這樣，便可以知道，且信服我，又明白我就是耶和華。在我以前沒有真神；在我以後也必沒有。惟有我是耶和華；除我以外沒有救主。我曾指示，我曾拯救，我曾說明，並且在你們中間沒有別神。所以耶和華說：你們是我的見證。我也是神；自從有日子以來，我就是神；誰也不能救人脫離我手。我要行事誰能阻止呢？"（賽43:1-14）

[ ... Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour ... ] [ … Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “ It is true. ” 10 “ You are my witnesses, ” declares the Lord, “ and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no saviour. 12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed — I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses, ” declares the Lord, “ that I am God.13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it? ” … ]

我在此時此刻切身地體會到我的神是全能者，祂無所不知、無處不在。祂對我的愛超過所有。祂計劃我的未來、寬恕我的過去，祂與此刻的我同在。祂是我的安慰者、我的保護者。祂幫助我對周遭環境滿有忍耐。祂在我迷惘時給我智慧、挫敗時賜我希望。祂是勝利者。從過去到將來，我的神坐著為王。祂是我活下去的惟一理由，在祂眼中，我比世上一切更寶貴。神愛世上所有人，在這其中也包括了我。

My God is all mighty and all knowing — everywhere, and anywhere. He loves me more than anything. He cares for my future. He forgave my past. He lives with me now. He is my comfort and He is my protector. He helps me endure through all situations. He provides wisdom when lost. He gives me hope when I feel defeated. In humanity, He is the victor. My God reigns — all the time. He is the reason I live and I am worth everything to Him. And He loves everyone too.

那個持槍搶劫了我的強盜是個不過20出頭年輕人。作為教會裡年輕人的輔導，我伴隨著孩子們一同成長。我是如此熱切地關愛著他們，渴望看到他們的將來。然而今天我目睹的一切，卻讓我極為沮喪。撇開對死亡的恐懼，當我在警局錄口供時，回想他年輕的面容，我就感到十分心痛。為什麼這樣一個年輕的生命，這樣一個充滿無限可能和價值的生命，會走上這樣一條道路？他的父母在哪裡？他的價值觀又是怎樣的？這一切是為了什麼？想到他將被判入獄，他的信仰可能更加惡化，他對神的心會更加剛硬，我難過到了極點。

The robber looked about 20 years old; he was young. But aside from the fear of having my life threatened, I felt much disappointment. Being a youth leader, I ’ ve lovingly mentored youth and imagined their bright futures. It saddened me to recall the young countenance of the perpetrator when I gave my statement to the police. How could such a young soul, filled with potential and worth, choose such a path? Where are his parents? Where are his values? Why?

在那時，我十分沮喪。為何只因區區二百元，他就讓我經受這麼多痛苦？難道對於他的個人利益來說，別人的生命就是這麼微不足道嗎？難道人性對他來說就只值這麼多錢嗎？我瞧不起那顆自私、被罪所污染的心，但是與此同時，我也為他而悲慟。

My heart hurt for him knowing that the punishment for his crime, imprisonment, will only deteriorate his beliefs and harden his heart. At the very same time, I felt frustration. I wanted to ask the robber, why did you put me through such trauma and pain only for two hundred dollars? Is the life of another human dispensable for your personal gain? Is humanity really only worth that much to you? I despised the selfishness I saw and the sin that corrupted his heart and mind, but I mourned for the person.

比起大部分人，我的記憶力非常好。準備回家時，我所經歷的一幕幕又無比清晰地浮現在我的腦海中。我總覺得犯人正等在某處預備要向我報復。我回到銀行，完全不能理解自己的感受。我知道除了生理和心理的創傷之外，還有一種靈裡的捆綁。

I think that compared to most people I have a pretty good memory. As I was leaving for home, flashbacks brought me to the exact moment and paranoia settled in. I feared that the perpetrator was waiting for me and wanted to take revenge on me. I went back inside the bank, unable to make sense of how I felt. I knew that aside from the mental and physical trauma that I experienced, there was also a spiritual bondage that suffocated me.

雖然我在同事和朋友面前盡量保持冷靜，但當我終於離開銀行，回到自己的車上獨處時，我突然從那種"公事公辦"的狀態中抽離出來，我頓時淚如泉涌。我因為那個男孩而感到非常痛苦。儘管我清楚地意識到一切已經結束，但為什麼我還會覺得如此懼怕？我試著打開音樂，使自己冷靜下來。神真是美善，音樂不僅幫助我平覆了心情，同時也給了我平安的確據，讓我再次敞開心扉。回家後，以賽亞書44章1-13節又一次在我的腦海中浮現。我知道，是神帶領我經過了這一切困難。我能夠得以活著離開銀行，並非因為我自己，乃是靠著神的名。神在一切事上為我征戰，我的神坐著為王。

When I finally left the building, I sat in my car and broke into tears. Although I held my composure in front of staff and friends, in my car I was finally alone and able to move out of the " strictly business " mode. I really hurt for that boy. Although I understood what had happened, I could not understand why I was still afraid. I turned on the music to calm myself down. God is good. Not only did the music calm my heart, it also opened my mind and assured me. When I went home I recalled Isaiah 43:1-13. My God brings me through all difficulties. I can surely move beyond this building and claim victory not through my own persistence, or my own will, but through His name. God can conquer everything for me. My God reigns.

因為屬靈上的成長和我對神的信心，我可以在人生的任何情況下都保持冷靜。即使在我與神並非十分親近的時候，通過跟隨神的腳步，我也能渡過各種各樣的困難。我之所以能夠保持冷靜，是因為我確信無論在任何情況下，我的神都掌管著一切。除非祂的允許，否則任何事情都不會發生。而我生命的價值也並非由我自己來定，否則，我早就被死亡的恐懼和失敗的陰影所挫敗了。

Through spiritual maturity and my trust in God, my character has developed to remain calm in any challenging life stage or situation. Even when I did not feel close to God, following His ways have allowed me to surpass many difficult situations. I can remain calm because I have faith that in any circumstance, my God reigns. Nothing in life occurs unless He has allowed it. My value in life is not based on me, otherwise I would have fear in any situation that I would lose or die. However, when my life is dictated by Him, I have peace believing that He knows best. I am confident that everything that happens to me has a worthwhile purpose because I am worth so much to Him.

這讓我想到—神是如此地愛我，但祂同樣也是如此地愛那個男孩。我需要原諒那個男孩對我所犯下的罪行，但更重要的，是我需要為他的救恩向神禱告，求神赦免他的罪。神的愛對每個人都是一樣的，神的恩典也足夠赦免我們的罪。原諒那個男孩之後，我卸下了自己的恐懼，取而代之的是希望。當初在停車場哭泣時，我真的覺得自己不可能再回去上班了。我不想坐在那裡，提心吊膽想著自己什麼時候又將成為下一個被劫持的對象。那種恐懼經歷一次就足夠了。但聖靈的提醒讓我重新感悟到生命的盼望，並讓我放下心靈的重擔。在發生的所有一切中，神自有祂的美意。神的恩典夠我用。我不會容忍撒旦來干擾我的生活，將我的生活重心從神偏移。

This made me think: God loves me so much, but He loves that boy just as much. I needed to forgive that boy for his offense against me, but more importantly, I needed to pray for his salvation and for God ' s mercy for his sins. God ' s love is the same to all of mankind and God ' s grace is sufficient for all of mankind ' s sins. By forgiving the boy I was able to conquer my fear and replace it with hope. Initially, I really felt that I could not return back to work. I did not want to sit there wondering if there will be a next time where I will be robbed at gunpoint. I did not want to be subject to that fear again. But this spiritual epiphany brought hope to my life and allowed me to overcome the burden on my heart. In everything that happens, God has a purpose for. God ' s grace is sufficient. I will not allow the work of the devil to interfere and distract my life.

事實上，我更盼望早點回到工作崗位上。儘管接下來我有一周的時間休息，但我會準備好迎接在我前面的挑戰。這次的經歷讓我重新審視自己的生活，將所有沒有價值的事情從生命中剔除，把我的精力集中在神看為寶貴的事情上。有時候，正是這些經歷雕琢了一個人的品格和他未來的人生道路。時光飛逝如白駒過隙，我們常常輕而易舉地陷入自鳴得意中，任憑我們的價值觀受到這個世界的影響。但神的計劃高過任何人的計劃，今天所發生的意外絕非事出無因，我的心已被神挑旺，我要繼續祂的工作。主，謝謝你對我的憐憫。我的神是如此美善。

In fact, now I look forward to returning to work. Although I am taking the rest of the week off, I am encouraged and am prepared for the challenges ahead. This experience stripped everything invaluable from my life. Now, I will focus on what is valuable to God. Sometimes, these experiences are what shape a man ' s character and life path. With the speed at which life passes, it is easy to fall into complacency and allow the world to change what you value. God ' s plan is better than any human plan. There was a reason for today ' s incident and it has invigorated me to continue in God ' s plan. Thank you Lord for your compassion. My God is so good.