Home昔日真理報2015年 真理報文章2015 年 12 月【開卷有益】 與歲月和好--發掘生命中的瑰寶

【開卷有益】 與歲月和好--發掘生命中的瑰寶

 

Book年老比死亡更可怕。 我們無法想像死亡之後的狀況,因此無從恐懼;可是我們卻預知老年的孤苦和寂寞,又身不由己地一步步變老,令人倍感百般無奈。等待已知的折磨,比起等待離世的未知,更使人無限恐慌。

年華逝去之所以不受歡迎,是因為眼見自己體力一點一滴地衰弱,記憶力逐漸減退,辦起事來往往力不從心,再也跟不上時代的節拍。更讓人神傷的是,我們今日看到很多老人的情景:貧窮、病患、無依、孤獨、與人疏離、與世隔絕,他們的處境就是我們明日的映照,怎麼可能樂觀面對?

因此我們用盡各樣的方法,延緩衰老的跡象,美國人每年至少花五十億美元,用在各種新玩意、化妝品及創新科技上,防止自己變老;然而,真正用在年長者的福利制度卻不到十份之一。可笑的是,仍然無法躲避老化的問題。因為年老是每個人都得進入的人生階段。

避而不談,並非上策。影響深遠的靈修作家盧雲(Henri Nouwen)與葛福尼(Walter J. Gaffney)三十年前看到問題所在,寫成了《與歲月和好》(Aging—The Fulfillment of Life),中文版今年五月才面世,兩位作者在書中與讀者坦誠地談變老這件事。

盧雲與葛福尼並不迴避老年所帶來的負面情緒,相當細膩地剖析常人面臨老化的心理變化。大部份人想像晚年的境況,都彌漫著悲觀和沮喪。年邁意味著身體的衰殘、能力的倒退、生產力的停滯。由於精神體力的限制,無法參與年輕人的活動,逐漸從充滿魄力、積極、進取的動態生活中隱退下來,自然感到被親友和社群疏離,甚至有被放逐和被排擠的想法。

最令人傷感的是,老年人絕望地發現,朋友圈子日見縮減,在以後的日子裡,再也不能擴大交友的範圍。過去多年的至親好友,一個個離你而去,存留心中的就是一份揮之不去的、強烈的孤寂感。

老人感覺不再受這講求利益效應的社會歡迎,因此自我價值被剝奪,自我拒絕和自我否定是最具殺傷力的利器,讓他們自覺無用、無貢獻,自我形象極度低落,變得乖僻、苦毒、消沉,對將來再也不敢寄予任何希望。

年老真的如此可怕嗎?兩位作者在書中,嘗試帶領讀者一起去發掘隱藏在生命軌跡裡的寶藏。既然年老是人類的共同經驗,就讓我們以喜悅、積極的心態迎接它的到來。作者指出:「老化不是失望的緣由,而是希望的根基;不是緩緩的衰敗,而是漸漸的成熟;不是要忍受的命運,而是可擁抱的機會。」

變老是生命得以通往光明與喜樂的一條大路。當我們出生進入這個世界的時候,有父母、親人、兄弟姊妹和朋友不斷地給予我們、供應我們,使我們不斷成長,造就一個獨特自主的我,當我們生命週期到達成熟階段的時候,我們意識到自己也成為別人的父母、親人、兄弟姊妹和朋友,開始給予和供應他人的需要,實現生命本身的意義和價值,開創更多璀璨耀眼的新生命。

因此老化是一個珍貴的成長經驗,透過不斷的給予,不僅是物質的供應,更是智慧和心靈的給予,甚至是生命的付出,讓人類的生命週期不斷地綿延不絕,並且通往更光明的方向。

只有當老年人不能再成為年輕人的導師,不能將寶貴的經驗傳承下去,才真正是社會的悲哀,和老年人的悲哀。環繞在我們周圍,很多睿智的長者在晚年時將生命傾倒的故事,觸動幾許萬千心靈。就如年邁的教宗若望二十三世將生命獻給歷史悠久的教會;年長的德蕾莎修女將希望帶給病危的印度人;米開朗基羅最後登峰造極之作,都深刻地存記在人的腦海中,永不磨滅。

無可否認,年老是生命中最令人驚懼的階段,帶著被排斥和拒絕的標記。但是年老也是可能轉為最喜樂的時期,將經驗傳授給社會。誰能除去老人的恐懼,帶領他們走出孤寂、低落的幽谷,發掘潛藏在他們生命中的瑰寶?

如果我們排斥老人,不單喪失了彌足珍貴的智慧累積,而且預期將會帶來可怕的災難!

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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