【上帝的幽默感】等待

 

Boat在今年的 6 月 12 日到 9 月 12 日,薛雁群老師的油畫展〈意韻〉,在溫哥華保利藝術館開展。我很幸運地在畫展第一天參與了 "與美相遇" 的經歷。薛老師的作品大多數是人物的工筆畫,在他的筆下,每個女性的神韻都十分美麗。當然,也都很年輕。但是在這次畫展中,有兩幅圖畫深深地吸引了我的注意力。

這兩幅幅畫的題名都是《等待》。《等待》之一是一些人在巴士站的等待,《等待》之二是一些人在 Union Gospel Mission 前面的等待。

這一幅《等待》,是薛老師在溫哥華市中心一個銀行裡面避雨的時候,透過巨大的玻璃窗,看著對面不同種族、年齡的人群,拿著大包小卷,焦急地等公車。一撥撥人群在風雨交加中上下往返,忙忙碌碌。一些人消失在遠方,一些人又在車站聚集,焦急地等待下一輛巴士的到來。他忽然意識到這不正是我們每個人的生活寫照嗎?我們每天本能地為生活奔忙,甚至貼上自己的生命。看到有人為失業而跳樓,有人為股票賠本而自殺,令人嘆息。讓他想起《馬太福音》裡的一句話:"人若賺得全世界,賠上自己的生命,有什麼益處呢?人還能拿什麼換生命呢?"(太16:26)人最寶貴的是生命。可生命的意義到底在哪裡?這是我們都要面對和思考的問題。薛老師把自己的感受用形象固定在畫布上,畫出了這幅作品。

我們每天都可以在街上看到等待巴士的隊伍。在這幅圖裡所表現的,像是在深秋的某一天,因為大家都穿著外套,有三個人帶著雨傘,溫哥華的秋天,大家心裡都有數。大風把大家的頭髮都吹得飄揚起來了,也把第一位老婦人張開的傘吹翻了,她急著想把傘弄好,但是沒有人幫她,後面的壯年人顧著看手機,看得津津有味,對前面老者的困窘和著急,全然不察。是深秋,感覺不是很冷,但是人與人之間的冷漠,讓人感到寒意習習。

薛老師把這《等待》放在秋天,令我覺得特別蒼涼。因為前面要迎接的就是冬天了,從灰暗的世界裡,彷彿要轉入一個不知道是什麼在迎接我們的世界。而死神,就站在最後一位等待者的後面,那是一個黑色的影子。冬天,在許多地方都意味著沉寂和冷清,植物落葉,動物休眠,人愛關在家裡取暖;在四季裡,冬天意味著生命的最後一站。

我們經常要等待,到哪裡都要排隊。有的人喜歡插隊,插了隊還是要排隊。在溫哥華插隊會挨罵的,還是不要嚐試吧。人生就是一串串的等待接合起來的。所以在這幅畫裡,從小孩到年輕人,到壯年人,到老年人,有男有女,還有一隻狗。有要去遠行的,有輕裝便旅的,有什麼都不帶的,代表了人生裡許多過程,唯一相同的是,都在引頸眺望同一個方向﹐忙著計劃要到下一站。而,死神,也在默默地等待。

這是一幅何等諷刺的畫面啊!當人們往前看時,死神卻在後面等著他們。我們總是計劃未來,想要到下一站,要去我們想去的地方。有的人要回家,有的人要去旅行,有的人要去上班,我們都覺得生命一定會繼續下去,不會停留在那裡。可是畫家卻要我們注意,人的行程由不得自己。何時死神要出現,阻擋我們的行程,誰知道呢?

就像《雅各書》裡說的:"嗐,你們有話說:'今天、明天我們要往某城裡去,在那裡住一年,做買賣得利。' 其實明天如何,你們還不知道。你們的生命是什麼呢?你們原來是一片雲霧,出現少時就不見了。"(雅4:13-14)我們的等待,會不會也有落空的一天?

薛老師的畫相當深刻,在一些等巴士的人群裡,讓我們想想,自己也是其中的一個。我們經常要排隊買東西,排隊領證件,排隊檢查上飛機,排隊領錢或付帳單,甚至上餐館也要排隊,等等。排隊是人生免不了的過程,在這過程中,不管你多麼心急,都要等待。插隊的人是希望縮短等待的時間,但是縮短了又如何?趕到了下一個目的地,不也是要等嗎?有的人要轉巴士,為了趕上下一輛巴士,一下車就不顧死活地往十字路口衝,他們覺得節省時間,不必再等待,比生命的安全更重要。因為他們不知道,死神在後面,等待。

我們都需要記得,死神也在我們的後面等待。所以我們不要只望前,不看後。當我們知道死神就在後面時,或許我們會好好思考前面要走的路,或是選擇一條永生之路,一條死神沒有能力阻攔你的路,因為耶穌在那條路的前方等你。讓耶穌親自來引領我們往前走,走向一個死神追不上的地方。

 

      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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