平安與真正成功的關聯
By Jim Langley
已過世的約翰．伍登（John Wooden），一位名字等同「成功」的人。在他的教練生涯中，得過10次美國大學籃球錦標賽冠軍，就可以知道他的「成功金字塔」術，不但適用在體育界，在工商業界同樣成為基本的教學工具。
當我們分析伍登成功模式的原則，我們可以看到在團隊建造時，每塊積木互相幫補。我最喜愛的書籍之一就是由伍登教練與傑依•卡提（Jay Carty）合著的《一對一教練》(Coach Wooden One-on-One)。這些年來，這本書不僅是我靈修的來源，也是對這位成功者一生的精彩回顧。透過他與合著者傑依•卡提的對話，讓我能深入地了解他。
成功是個難以定論的主題；它對我們每一個人而言代表著不同的意義。以下是透過伍登的眼睛來看成功：
他說：「成功是知道你已盡了你的全力做到最好時，心裡得到的滿足和平安。」有趣的是，他的這句話沒有提到勝利，獲得財富、名聲或榮耀，或者最後贏了。他對取得成功也沒有時間限制，因為伍登教練認為成功是一生的過程。
在聖經中我們發現對成功的一個類似觀點。以色列的大衛王並不完美，但聖經說:他是合上帝心意的人。在他統治的末期，大衛指示即將要繼任王位的所羅門，要為上帝建造聖殿。在歷代志上22章12節，大衛告訴他的兒子：「你若謹守遵行耶和華藉摩西吩咐以色列的律例典章，就得亨通。你當剛強壯膽，不要懼怕，也不要驚惶。」
平安無關財富、身分、或任何有形的東西。它是無形的保證，讓我們知道我們是在討上帝的喜悅，有一天祂會告訴我們：「歡迎回家，良善又忠心的僕人！」關於平安，聖經告訴我們以下的事：
平安是堅定不移的。當我們信靠上帝，外在的環境就無法干擾我們內在的平安。「堅心倚賴你的，你必保守他十分平安，因為他倚靠你。」（以賽亞書26章3節）
平安是禱告的結果。為何我們沒有在生活中經歷到平安？可能那是因為我們沒有向上帝祈求。「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章6-7節）。
上帝已經應許平安。在我們的個人生活和職業生涯中培養與耶穌的關係，就可以讓我們經歷世人所不知道的平安。「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。你們心裡不要憂愁，也不要膽怯。」（約翰福音14章27節）。
吉姆．朗立自1983年起就擔任紐約人壽的保險經紀人和特許人壽保險承銷商，從1987年起他也是美國加州聖塔巴巴拉CBMC分會的活躍會員。此篇文章改編自他的「最後四分之一場的策略」的討論，這些討論是為了在基督徒工商專業人士點一把火，使他們為耶穌基督在職場上更有效能。他的網站是www.fourthquarterstrategies.com
省思／討論題目
你自己對成功如何定義？是否與打拼競爭有關、在職場上攀登更高的階層、或賺更多錢？請解釋你的答案。 伍登教練說：「成功是你已盡了你的全力做到最好時，心裡得到的滿足和平安。」你對他的觀點有何看法？ 成功（以及平安）與你和上帝的關係有何關聯？你是否同意這個結論？為什麼？ 你是否曾經透過與上帝的關係，特別是透過那每天忍受挑戰和困難的耶穌基督，經歷到平安？若有，請解釋那是怎樣的感受。
註：若你想看聖經中有關此主題的其他經文，請參考以下經節：創世記39章23節；撒母耳記上18章14節；歷代志上22章11-13節；傳道書10章10節；約書亞記1章6-9節
THE LINK BETWEEN PEACE AND TRUE SUCCESS
By Jim Langley
The late John Wooden became a man whose name was synonymous with success. With 10 national collegiate men”s basketball championships during his career, it is easy to see why his” Pyramid of Success” served as a foundational teaching tool not only in sports, but also in business.
If we look at the tenets that make up Wooden”s model for success, we can see each of the building blocks working to complement each other in team building. One of my favorite books was written by coach Wooden with Jay Carty, Coach Wooden One-on-One. Over the years, for me it became more than a devotional resource. It also became a wonderful reflection of a man I never met, yet I came to know him very well through his conversations with co-author Jay Carty.
Success is an elusive topic; what it really represents means something different to each of us. Here is a brief look at success through Wooden”s eyes:
He stated, “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.” Interestingly, his quote makes no mention of winning, gaining wealth or fame, attaining honors, or finishing with more wins than losses. He also places no time constraints on achieving success. This is because Coach Wooden considered success to be a lifelong process.
In the Bible we find a similar perspective on success. Israel”s King David was not perfect, but it says he was a man after God”s own heart. At the end of his reign, David instructed Solomon, who would be succeeding him and building the temple for God. In 1 Chronicles 22:13, David told his son, “Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
Peace has nothing to do with wealth, status or anything tangible. It is that intangible assurance that allows us to know we are pleasing to our God and that He will one day tell us. “Welcome home, My good and faithful servant!” Here are a few things the Bible tells us about peace:
Peace is unwavering. External circumstances cannot disrupt the inner peace we can enjoy when we place our faith and confidence in God. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).
Peace is a product of prayer. Why do we not experience peace in our lives? Maybe it is because we do not ask God for it. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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).
Peace is promised. Cultivating a relationship with Jesus in both our personal and professional life offers peace the world around us knows nothing about. “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).
© 2016, all rights reserved. Jim Langley has been an agent and chartered life underwriter (CLU) with New York Life since 1983 and an active member of CBMC of Santa Barbara, California, U.S.A. since 1987. Adapted from one of his “Fourth Quarter Strategies.” His website is: www.fourthquarterstrategies.com
Reflection/Discussion Questions
What would be your own definition of success? Does it involve beating the competition, advancing up the ranks professionally, or making more money? Explain your answer. In his quote, Coach John Wooden spoke of success in terms of peace of mind and being satisfied with having done your best. What is your reaction to that point of view? What have success – and peace – to do with a relationship with God? Do you agree with this conclusion? Why or why not? Have you experienced peace through a relationship with God, specifically through Jesus Christ, one that endures despite the challenges and problems of every day? If so, explain what that is like for you.
NOTE: If you would like to look at or discuss other portions of the Bible that relate to this topic, consider the following passages: Genesis 39:23; 1 Samuel 18:14; 1 Chronicles 22:11-13; Ecclesiastes 10:10; Joshua 1:6-9
