我們的受造是要服事別人
上帝在這地球上所創造的每個生物都有某種特別的專長。我們如何知道這一點呢？聖經舊約告訴我們：「你的手創造我，造就我的四肢百體」（約伯記10章8節）。有些動物跑、有些跳、有些游泳、有些挖洞、有些飛行。他們都根據上帝創造的專長，扮演一個特別的角色。人也是如此，我們每個人的設計都是獨特的，這個設計是要去做特別的事。
建築師設計一個新的建築物時，他們首先會問：「這建築物的目的是什麼？它有什麼用途？」這建築物的功能就決定了它的樣式，如人們所說：先有功能才有樣式。
在上帝創造你之前，祂決定了祂要你在世上扮演什麼角色。祂計畫你要如何服事祂，然後祂就根據那些功能塑造你。你成為你是因為你被創造來達到一個特定的目的，不論在你的職場、你的家庭或你的社區。
聖經也說：「我們原是他的工作，在基督耶穌裡造成的，為要叫我們行善」（以弗所書2章10節）。英文字poem來自希臘文，它原來的意思是「技藝」。你是上帝手所做的工藝品，你不是生產線裝配出來的產品，不是不經思考就大量生產的產品。
上帝特別創造你，要你以某種獨特的工作方式去服事祂和別人。祂小心地結合你的基因和DNA圖譜來塑造你。為了上帝在設計我們每一個人所注意的難以置信細節，大衛讚美上帝：「我的肺腑是你所造的；我在母腹中，你已覆庇我。我要稱謝你，因我受造，奇妙可畏；你的作為奇妙」（詩篇139篇13-14節）。
上帝不但在你出生前就塑造你，但祂也計畫你生命中的每一天去完成祂塑造的過程。大衛繼續說：「你所定的日子，我尚未度一日，你都寫在你的冊上了」（詩篇139篇16節）。
這意味著你生活中發生的每件事都有意義，上帝使用那些事件去塑造你，使你服事別人並服事祂。
上帝從不浪費任何東西。祂不會賜你能力、興趣、天份、恩賜、個性和生活經驗，除非祂想要使用它們來榮耀祂的名。藉著認清並了解這些成份，你就能發現上帝在你生命中的旨意。
聖經說你的「受造奇妙」，你是許多不同成份的組合：「這百姓是我為自己所造的，好述說我的美德」（以賽亞書43章21節）。
本文版權屬於「標竿人生」。本文改編自華理克博士的專欄。他寫了許多書，包括廣受讚揚的「標竿人生」。這本書被翻譯成許多語言，並賣到全世界。這本書斷言，有一個經過你仔細考慮且清楚表達的目標去過每天的生活是重要的。這本書被認為是改變20世紀的100本基督教書籍之一。他也寫了「目標導向的教會」和「聖誕的目的」。
思想 / 討論題目
你對華理克博士所說：「上帝在這地球上所創造的每個生物都有某種特別的專長」有何看法？
如他所指出，建築師首先要決定一個建築物的目的－－它的功能－－才決定這建築物應該有的型式。你之所以是你，是因為上帝為了一個特別的目的設計你。你對此有何意見？
「你是特別訂做、獨一無二、原創的傑作。」你對這句話有何感覺？你認為這是正確的，或者你懷疑它的正確性？請解釋。
華理克博士最後說，上帝使用你的能力、興趣、天份、恩賜、個性和生活經驗是有特別的目的。你同意嗎？若同意，你可以如何用你的生命作為例子來說明？若不同意，為什麼？
註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言3章5-6節，16章4、9節，21章1節；耶利米書29章11-13節；羅馬書8章28-29節；腓立比書3章12-14節
WE ALL WERE CREATED TO SERVE OTHERS
By: Dr. Rick Warren
God formed every creature on this planet with a special area of expertise. How do we know this? In the Old Testament of the Bible, we are told, “Your hands shaped me and made me” (Job 10:8). Some animals run, some hop, some swim, some burrow, and some fly. They all have a particular role to play, based on how they were shaped by God. The same is true with humans. Each of us was uniquely designed, or "shaped" to do certain things.
Before architects design any new building they first ask, "What will be its purpose? How will it be used?" The intended function always determines the form of the building. Form follows function, as they say.
Before God created you, He decided what role He wanted you to play on earth. He planned exactly how He wanted you to serve Him, and then He shaped you for those tasks. You are the way you are because you were made for a specific purpose, whether in the workplace, your home, or your community.
The Bible also says, "We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10). The English word "poem" comes from this Greek word which is translated, "workmanship." You are God’s handcrafted work of art. You are not an assembly-line product, mass-produced without thought. You are custom-designed, a one-of-a kind, original masterpiece.
God deliberately shaped and formed you to serve Him in a way that makes your work – and service to others – unique. He carefully combined your genes, the DNA recipe that formed you. David praised God for this incredible personal attention to detail that God gave in designing each of us: "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous" (Psalm 139:13-14).
Not only did God shape you before your birth, but He also planned every day of your life to support His shaping process. David continues, "Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed" (Psalm 139:16, NLT).
This means nothing that occurs in your life is insignificant. God uses all of it to mold you for your ministry to others, and shape you for your service to Him.
God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless He intended to use them for His glory. By identifying and understanding these factors, you can discover God’s will for your life.
The Bible says you are "wonderfully complex." You are a combination of many different factors: "The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises” (Isaiah 43:21).
© 2009, Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved. Adapted from a column by Dr. Rick Warren, the author of numerous books, including the highly acclaimed, The Purpose-Drive Life, which has been translated into many languages and sold throughout the world. It affirms the importance of having a carefully considered, clearly expressed purpose to guide everyday life. It has been named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th Century. He also has written The Purpose-Driven Church and The Purpose of Christmas.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
What is your reaction to Dr. Warren”s statement, “God formed every creature on this planet with a special area of expertise”?
As he points out, an architect first determines a building”s purpose – its function – before deciding which form it should take. How do you respond to the idea that you are the way you are because God designed you for a particular purpose?
How do you feel about the statement that you are a “custom-designed, a one-of-a kind, original masterpiece”? Does that seem accurate – or do you have doubts about its validity? Explain your answer.
One last statement Dr. Warren makes is that God uses your abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences for intended purposes. Do you agree with that? If so, what might be an example from your life? If you disagree, why?
NOTE: If you have a Bible, consider these other passages that relate to this topic:
Proverbs 3:5-6, 16:4,9, 21:1; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Romans 8:28-29; Philippians 3:12-14
