Home昔日真理報2016年 真理報文章2016 年 2 月【開卷有益】 基督徒的搬家哲學

【開卷有益】 基督徒的搬家哲學

 

book搬家總是讓人又愛又恨。有機會搬到新環境,一切重新開始,心中不期然興起新的希冀與盼望;可是,看著滿屋子的東西雜物,在取捨之間,猶豫不決,又使人萬分惆悵。

最澈底的一次搬家是廿多年前由香港移民到溫哥華,幾乎是連根拔起,一次過把所有家當從東半球運往西半球。可想而知,是多麼艱巨的一次壯舉。可幸的是當時年輕,體魄仍算硬朗,加上值得保留的物品其實不多,倒也將一家大小連人帶貨順利過度,到達太平洋的彼岸,重建家園。

在溫哥華一住就是二十多年,其間搬遷了三次,居住的時間一處比一處長,累積下來的家居用品,也一天比一天多。到現時為止,不敢輕言搬家,皆因無法面對收拾的痛苦和割捨的掙扎。

從搬家想到人生在世,經歷幾許遷徙,猶如客旅一般的生涯,正是《基督徒搬家哲學》一書給我的啟發。作者蔡麗貞現為台灣中華福音神學院院長,在芸芸眾多的華人基督教神學學者之中,蔡院長的釋經講道和書籍著作,絕對不是深奧難懂的神學論據和學術研究;剛好相反,她的文章讀來趣味盎然,而且獨具女性才有的細膩和敏銳。我最欣賞的是,她致力將福音訊息生活化,務求讓聖經真理落實在生活每一個層面。畢竟神學上的鑽研,倘若不能應用在日常生活裡,都只不過是紙上談兵,對在塵世裡打滾的凡夫俗子,又有甚麼裨益呢?

《基督徒搬家哲學》正是這樣一本發人深省的好書,亦是作者結集了二十篇精彩的講道專輯。在解釋聖經真理的同時,結合了文學、藝術和現實生活的點點滴滴,在歡笑與眼淚之間,讓讀者重新體會神學的深邃和智慧。原來屬天的真理是如此貼近人間的思維和日常細微的小節,就如搬家、旅行、考駕照、學游泳、休息與進修,隨處得見上帝溫韾的同在和引導。

每一次搬家,就好像對自己的生命來一次大檢閱。家中的每件物品都是歲月留下來的痕跡,訴說著往昔日子的喜與悲。要丟棄,實在不捨;要保留,又嫌累贅。搬家的好處是讓自己有機會清理積存已久的物品,其實有許多已經不合時宜,不能再用,就乾脆丟掉;可用而又用不著的,就大方地送給合用的人,讓捨不得丟掉的物件也有一個好去處。搬家也可趁機會掃除內心的垃圾,過往的不如意、埋怨、苦毒,都一併丟掉,不再抱殘守缺,迎接新的開始。

既然每一處的居所並非我們終極的家鄉,何不放開執著,灑脫一點,以一個過客的姿態來度日。到外地旅行,裝備都以簡約為主,不必要的物品,可免則免;不需要的東西,也不會添購,免得包袱太多,徒增旅程的勞累。人生也不過如此!

從聖經中亞伯拉罕奉上帝之命,舉家遷移外地的故事,使人聯想到客旅寄居般的人生觀。古代遊牧民族,居無定所,往往逐水草而居,所到之處,蓋搭帳棚,作短暫停留棲身。現代人生活進步,多有固定的居所,科技進步也帶來舒適的享受,讓人眷戀擁有的安舒。

亞伯拉罕過慣了流浪寄居的生活,人生觀也變得豁達,心胸也變得寬廣,甘心把肥沃滋潤的土地讓給姪兒羅得,以不爭競、不強取為待人處世的原則,最後卻承受上帝大大的賞賜。基督徒也應該謹記在世的日子,本來就是客旅,只是寄居者,不以擁有豐富的資財來衡量自己的價值,反而決意過一個簡樸的生活來體會單純之美。

現時的家,無論多麼牢固,也非永久安居之處,有一天都會被拆毀。不但居住的房子是帳棚,連我們的靈魂所暫時棲息的身體也是帳棚,有一天也要被脫去。即使如何保養顧惜,醫療保健如何先進完善,這個軀殼也終有衰殘逝去的一日。

雖然明明知道房子只供我們在世間寄居幾十年,我們仍然在其中盡最大的努力經營建造,積攢許多用不著的財物。似乎積存越多,對將來的保障越有信心。名下的財富資產逐漸取代上帝,最後成為我們的倚靠和安全感的根源,才是人生真正的悲哀。

 

      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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