選擇或拒絕喝那杯

By Sergio Fortes

在我們的個人生活或職涯生活中，總有某些時候怎麼努力也沒有用，做什麼都不對。無論是工作上，我們想努力實現重要的目標，或是個人生活中想挽回很重要的關係，到最後都徒勞無功。這個時候，我們的思想被消極的想法所淹沒，朋友和親人似乎很遙遠，我們被孤獨的感情所包圍，觸礁似乎只是時間早晚的問題。

無論是在企業工作、個人追求，或是我們的精神生活中，大家最重視的是成功。如果我們不能成功就是失敗。不幸的是，沒有人對失敗感興趣。

盧雲神父（Henri Nouwen註1）是上個世紀很重要的靈性導師，在他的著作「念茲在茲：活在聖神中Here and Now: Living in the Spirit 」中，提醒我們生命的不同情節交替出現，有著自然的潮起潮落，快樂和悲傷、成功與失敗、健康與疾病、就像日曆上的季節更迭不停。聖經也告訴我們很多關於這些季節的信息。事實上，舊約聖經說：「凡事都有定期，天下萬務都有定時。生有時，死有時；栽種有時，拔出所栽種的也有時；…喜愛有時，恨惡有時；爭戰有時，和好有時。」（傳道書3章1-8節）。

拿撒勒的耶穌基督在世上的日子，把痛苦和失敗的時刻都視為他生命中不可或缺的一部分。他在被出賣的那天晚上，斥責他最親密的追隨者之一（也是最衝動的人）彼得說：「…收刀入鞘吧，我父所給我的那杯，我豈可不喝呢？」（約翰福音18章11節）。因為他知道這是他無法避免的審判。

彼得認為這是不能接受的。他拒絕容忍那些他認為是失敗的部分。他更想做的是揮著他巧妙偽裝的劍，和那些控告耶穌的人打鬥、攻擊那些控告者、把他們的耳朵切斷等等。他願意做任何事情，除了「喝那杯」之外。

我們都希望自己有「劍」能夠抵擋生命的攻擊。所謂的「劍」有可能是：一個富有的銀行支票賬戶、黃金信用卡、大額儲蓄賬戶、一個我們能依靠的有錢朋友，或是一些有形的東西，有危機時可以幫我們輕鬆解決問題。但是，這樣做真的有效嗎？或者他們只是在推延不可避免的「喝那杯」過程？

要分辨何時戰鬥、何時接受「喝那杯」需要屬靈的洞察力。被憤怒、武裝的暴力士兵包圍時，耶穌知道現在不是戰鬥的時候。就算投降意味著苦難、痛苦和死亡，但他接受上帝的旨意。他必須喝那杯，他來的目的就是要為全人類贖罪。

在這種情況下，我們需要有「智慧」讓我們了解「喝那杯」的時機，是正在發生、還是將要發生。但聖經給我們安慰。正如詩篇作者大衛寫道：「因為，他的怒氣不過是轉眼之間；他的恩典乃是一生之久。一宿雖然有哭泣，早晨便必歡呼。」（詩篇30篇5節）。然後，在第11節，大衛寫道：「你已將我的哀哭變為跳舞，將我的麻衣脫去，給我披上喜樂。」他對上帝有信心，「因為祂使萬物都互相效力，叫愛神的人得益處。」

註1: 盧雲（Henri J.M. Nouwen），原籍荷蘭，著名靈修及牧養神學作家，曾於許多有名學院任教多年。一九八五年離開哈佛大學，在法國Trosly的「方舟團體」(L'Arche Community)生活，等候及尋索未來的「召命」。終於受「方舟團體」在加拿大多倫多市以北的「黎明之家」(Daybreak)邀請，自一九八六年起為其牧者，服事家中的弱智人士及職員，直至一九九六年九月安息主懷止。

©版權所有 為賽爾吉澳․佛提斯 是一位策略管理顧問，專長是企業領導。他也是巴西CBMC的會員。

反省與問題討論

你最後一次經歷「做甚麼都不對」是什麼時候？你是怎麼回應的？ 你是否同意作者說生活中有不可避免的季節，成功有時、失敗有時、延遲有時、停頓有時，甚至有不得不撤退的時候？解釋你的答案。 當耶穌基督說他必須「喝上帝賜給他的杯」時，你怎麼看？ 當一切似乎都出錯，也沒有證據顯示事情會很快出現改變時，信仰如何幫助我們能忍繼續忍耐?

備註: 如果你手上有聖經，希望閱讀更多相關的經文，請參考:

傳道書3章9-15節

3:9 這樣看來，做事的人在他的勞碌上有甚麼益處呢？
3:10 我見　神叫世人勞苦，使他們在其中受經練。
3:11 　神造萬物，各按其時成為美好，又將永生（原文是永遠）安置在世人心裏。然而　神從始至終的作為，人不能參透。
3:12 我知道世人，莫強如終身喜樂行善；
3:13 並且人人吃喝，在他一切勞碌中享福，這也是　神的恩賜。
3:14 我知道　神一切所做的都必永存；無所增添，無所減少。　神這樣行，是要人在他面前存敬畏的心。
3:15 現今的事早先就有了，將來的事早已也有了，並且　神使已過的事重新再來（或譯：並且　神再尋回已過的事）。

羅馬書5章3-5節

5:3 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，
5:4 忍耐生老練，老練生盼望；
5:5 盼望不至於羞恥，因為所賜給我們的聖靈將　神的愛澆灌在我們心裏。

希伯來書11章1、39-40節

11:1 信就是所望之事的實底，是未見之事的確據。

11:39 這些人都是因信得了美好的證據，卻仍未得著所應許的；
11:40 因為　神給我們預備了更美的事，叫他們若不與我們同得，就不能完全。

雅各書1章2-8節

1:2 我的弟兄們，你們落在百般試煉中，都要以為大喜樂；
1:3 因為知道你們的信心經過試驗，就生忍耐。
1:4 但忍耐也當成功，使你們成全、完備，毫無缺欠。
1:5 你們中間若有缺少智慧的，應當求那厚賜與眾人、也不斥責人的　神，主就必賜給他。
1:6 只要憑著信心求，一點不疑惑；因為那疑惑的人，就像海中的波浪，被風吹動翻騰。
1:7 這樣的人不要想從主那裏得甚麼。
1:8 心懷二意的人，在他一切所行的路上都沒有定見。

彼得前書1章6-7節

1:6 因此，你們是大有喜樂；但如今，在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁，
1:7 叫你們的信心既被試驗，就比那被火試驗仍然能壞的金子更顯寶貴，可以在耶穌基督顯現的時候得著稱讚、榮耀、尊貴。

CHOOSING – OR REFUSING – TO “DRINK THE CUP”

By Sergio Fortes

Whether in our personal or professional lives, there are certain times when it seems that nothing works. No matter what we do, everything goes wrong. We feel like the end has come, whether it is our career, striving toward an important goal, or saving a valued relationship. Our minds become overwhelmed with negative thoughts. Friends and close relatives seem distant, leaving us surrounded by lonely feelings. The anticipated shipwreck seems just a matter of time.

All that matters, we believe, whether in the corporate world, personal pursuits, or even our spiritual lives, is success. If our story is not successful one, it can only be one thing: a failure. Unfortunately, no one has interest in failure.

In his book, Here and Now, author Henri Nouwen, a foremost exponent of spirituality during the last century, reminds us that the episodes of life alternate, having a natural ebb and flow: joy and sadness; success and failure; health and illness; similar to the seasons of a calendar year. The Bible can tell us much about these seasons. In fact, the Old Testament says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die…a time to tear down and a time to build…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

During His time on earth, Jesus Christ of Nazareth regarded moments of pain and failure as integral parts of his life. Speaking to Peter, one of his closest followers (and the most impulsive), He rebuked him the night when He was betrayed. Jesus said, “Put your sword into away! Shall I not drink lhe cup the Father has given me?” (John 18.11). He understood this was a trial He could not avoid.

Peter thought this was unacceptable, refusing to tolerate what he perceived as failure. He preferred to draw his sword, which he had skillfully camouflaged, and fight against Jesus” accusers. Attack the attackers. Cut off an ear. He was willing to do anything but "drink the cup."

We all desire our own “swords" to ward off the assaults of life. These seemingly protective weapons can look like a fat bank checking account, gold-credit card, large savings account, a wealthy friend we can call upon in a crisis, or material goods we can easily liquidate if needed. But are they really effective, or just walking sticks that delay the inevitable "drinking the cup" process?

Distinguishing between when to fight and when to drink the cup requires spiritual discernment. Surrounded by angry, armed and violent soldiers, Jesus ​​saw beyond the siege. He understood it was not a time to fight, but rather to accept God”s will, even if it meant bitter suffering, pain and death. It was necessary for Him to drink the cup. His purpose was to atone for the sins of mankind.

This is not just a spiritual illustration. For each of us laboring in the business and professional world, sometimes the "cup" is inevitable. Maybe you are in one of those moments of your life today. You are being asked to drink the cup, but do not like it one bit. Who prefers pain and bitterness over success?

In these circumstances, we need wisdom to understand what is happening. And it will happen. But the Scriptures offer us consolation. As the psalmist David wrote, "His anger lasts only a moment, but his goodness is for life. The weeping may last all night long, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5). Then, in verse 11, David wrote, "You have changed my weeping into joyful dancing, you have removed my sorrow from me, and have girded me with joy." He had confidence God could use even the worst times for good.

© 2018. J. Sergio Fortes is a consultant in strategic management and a specialist in corporate leadership. He also is a member of CBMC Brazil.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

When was the last time you experienced a time when nothing seemed to be working, when no matter what you tried, it turned out wrong? How did you respond to that? Do you agree with the writer who said there are inevitable seasons in life, times to succeed and times to fail, times to advance and times to pause, or even have to retreat? Explain your answer. What do you think Jesus Christ meant when He said He must “drink the cup” God had given to Him? How does faith help in being able to endure times when everything seems to have gone wrong, and there is no immediate evidence that things will soon change?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about his subject, consider the following passages: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15; Romans 5:3-5; Hebrews 11:1,39-40; James 1:2-8; 1 Peter 1:6-7

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