動力與感恩
By Robert J. Tamasy
上一次你甚麼時候聽到令人振奮的談話？你當時如何回應？它給你滿滿的熱情和啟發嗎？你是否覺得自己非常激動，準備好要迎向世界了嗎？
幾年前，我受邀參加一個複合式的銷售大會，在講台上許多男女侃侃而談他們的產品以及他們如何成功。我環顧四周，發現許多觀眾都因此變得十分火熱。他們興奮到，當時我覺得他們離開時不會走普通的門，而是破牆而出。
我沒有那麼興奮，但是我能夠了解他們的感受。因為他們聽到的故事聽起來很有說服力，很激勵人心。不過問題來了，那種興奮很少能持續很久。情緒的高潮往往會隨著他們回到每天工作的職場，在現實和挑戰之後消失。
我們要如何能夠找到能讓我們持續努力、在困難的時候也能堅忍面對挑戰的動力呢？現實很令人哀傷，很多人一開始都做得很好，無論是做一個新的工作、新的生意或者是開始承擔一個新的職務，但卻很少人能堅持下去最終達成目標。所以重點還是，我們如何能找到那個讓我們能持續下去的動力呢？
再過不久，一年一度的感恩節就要到了。我想對基督徒來說，我們能堅持下去的動力之一應該是感恩。對神的愛的感謝，感謝祂為我們所做的一切，也感謝祂給我們機會能夠參與祂偉大的事工。
以下是聖經當中，與從感恩而來的動力相關的經文：
從感謝神的愛而來的動力。聖經告訴我們，我們是被揀選的族類，因為神的愛成為神永恆國度裡的一份子，耶穌也住在我們每個人的心中，給我們動力去愛別人，就像祂愛我們一樣。如同使徒保羅所說的：「原來基督的愛激勵我們；因我們想，一人既替眾人死，眾人就都死了；」(哥林多後書 5章14節).
從感謝神的呼召而來的動力。聖經當中有一段令人驚奇的描述，那就是神要我們做公義的器皿(羅馬書6章13節)，彰顯祂的真理。「所以，我們作基督的使者，就好像 神藉我們勸你們一般。我們替基督求你們與 神和好。」(哥林多後書5章20節).
與人分享的動力。一旦我們明白神為我們做了甚麼，以及和祂真實的關係，我們就會發現自己被激動想要與人分享關於耶穌基督的「好消息」。「我們若果顛狂，是為 神；若果謹守，是為你們。原來基督的愛激勵我們；因我們想，一人既替眾人死，眾人就都死了；並且他替眾人死，是叫那些活著的人不再為自己活，乃為替他們死而復活的主活。」(哥林多後書5章13-15節)
勞勃．泰默西是領袖資產協會的傳播部副部長，這是一個總部在美國喬治亞州亞特蘭大的非營利組織。他寫過一本書「最佳狀態的商業：箴言給今日職場的歷久彌新智慧」（Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace）；他也與David A. Stoddard合著一本書「導師之心」（The Heart of Mentoring）
省思與問題討論
你是否曾經聽過激勵演講、聽一段激勵人心的講道或是讀一本勵志好書？效果維持了多久？為什麼外在的動力常常在很短的時間裡就消失了？ 你是否同意「感恩」能成為一種持久的動力？請分享你的答案。 無論你是否慶祝感恩節，今天有甚麼事情值得你感恩？ 對神的感恩，因為祂過去為我們所做的和持續在做的的一切，是否能成為每天你在職場上工作服事的動力？要維持這樣的動力會遇到甚麼挑戰？
備註: 如果你手上有聖經，希望能讀更多和這個主題相關的經文，請參考：箴言100章1-5節；歌羅西書2章7節、3章16-17節；帖撒羅尼加前書5章18節；希伯來書12章28-29節
MOTIVATION-AND THANKFULNESS
By Robert J. Tamasy
When was the last time you heard a motivational talk? How did you react to it? Did it fill you with enthusiasm and inspiration? Did you find yourself filled with adrenalin, ready to take on the world?
Years ago, I was invited to attend a multi-level sales meeting when several men and women took the stage, speaking glowingly about their product and declaring how successful they had become. Looking around the room, I saw many of the attendees becoming fired up. They were so excited, I think some of them didn”t use the doors to leave – they seemed ready to run through walls.
I was not among them, but could understand the reaction. The stories they heard sounded convincing, and very motivating. The problem is, that kind of motivation rarely lasts. The emotional peaks it produces quickly fade as people return to the “valley” of the everyday workplace and its challenges.
How, then, can we find the motivation we need to not only establish and start pursuing worthwhile goals, but also to sustain the effort, persevering in the face of obstacles, setbacks and discouragement? A sad reality is that many people have the capacity to start well, whether embarking on a new career, starting a business, or taking on higher levels of responsibility and authority. But relatively few are able to stick with it to bring into fulfillment their lofty objectives. Where can we find the much-needed motivation?
Soon Americans and people in some other parts of the world will hold an annual observance called Thanksgiving Day. I would suggest, at least for those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, part of our motivation should be thankfulness. Thankfulness for God”s love, for what He has done for us, and for the privilege of being participants in the work He is doing around the world.
Here are some of the sources of thankful motivation we find recorded in the Bible:
Motivated by thankfulness for God”s love. The Scriptures teach we have been chosen to become members of God”s eternal family by His unconditional love. It also says the Spirit of Jesus Christ lives in every believer, empowering us to love others as He has loved us. As the apostle Paul wrote, “For Christ”s love compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14).
Motivated by being thankful for God”s calling. One of the amazing statements in the Bible is God wants us to serve as “instruments of righteousness” (Romans 6:13), people He uses to demonstrate and express His truths. “We are therefore Christ”s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ”s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Motivated to share it with others. Once we comprehend what God has done for us, and what a genuine relationship with Him offers, we should find ourselves motivated to share what the Bible calls the “good news of Jesus Christ” with others. “If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you…because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:13-15).
© 2017. Robert J. Tamasy has written Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace; Tufting Legacies; coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring, and edited numerous other books, including Advancing Through Adversity by Mike Landry. Bob”s website is www.bobtamasy-readywriterink.com, and his biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Have you ever heard a motivational speech, listened to a recorded motivational message or read a motivational book? How long did the inspiration you received from that last? Why does external motivation often disappear after a short period of time? Do you agree that thankfulness can be a source of enduring motivation? Explain your answer. Whether you are preparing to celebrate a formal Thanksgiving Day or not, what are some of the things you are thankful for today? How should thankfulness to God – for what He has done in your life and continues to do – serve as motivation as you approach every day in the workplace? What are some of the challenges in maintaining this kind of motivation?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about principles it presents, consider the following passages: Psalm 100:1-5; Colossians 2:7, 3:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 12:28-29
