堅固我們手中所做的工作──CONFIRMING THE WORK OF OUR HANDS
For English version, please refer to the latter part of this page
你如何評價你目前的工作情況？它是至今為止，你最為滿意的工作嗎？它是否暫時滿足了你的需要，但卻只是你未來事業發展的一個踏腳石呢？你目前是否正積極地尋找更好的機會？還是你感到陷入每天都是一個讓你難以起床，勉強去工作的挑戰狀態呢？
大多數人可能至少曾經處於上述其中兩三種情況之一。我們必須承認，即使是最棒的工作也不會是完美的。「理想的工作」仍然會有我們希望改變的地方；只要涉及到人，就會出現問題。
問題是，無論我們每天是否充滿期待地去上班，我們目前的工作狀況是如何呢？對於基督徒來說，尤其重要的是，我們被呼召視為「基督的職場天國大使」，正如哥林多後書5章20節所描述的。我們是否是改變者，每天將基督的光顯現出來給我們的雇主、同事、顧客以及每天遇到的其他人？還是像整天發牢騷與抱怨的同事一樣呢？
在詩篇90篇17節我們讀到強而有力的祈求：「願主我們神的榮美歸於我們身上。願你堅立我們手所做的工；我們手所做的工，願你堅立。」– 是的，堅立我們手所做的工。或許有時候我們會對其他的工作機會有所憧憬，但正如有人觀察到的那樣，上帝期望我們在自己所在的地方事奉和代表祂 – 我們當然不能在自己所不在的地方事奉和代表祂。
不管我們走到哪裡，我們要如何將目前的工作狀況，無論好壞，對準我們的呼召，來成為耶穌基督的門徒呢？聖經中有一些原則可以幫助我們：
我們要以平和與感謝的心來面對我們的工作。當我們以感謝和喜樂應對困難的情況時，別人會注意到。「又要叫基督的平安在你們心裡作主；你們也為此蒙召，歸為一體；且要存感謝的心…無論做什麼，或說話或行事，都要奉主耶穌的名，藉著他感謝父神。」(歌羅西書3章15-17節)
我們要藉由我們的工作和言語展現基督的光。在黑暗和邪惡所掌控的世界中，我們對上帝的信心將更加閃耀。「你們是世上的光。城造在山上是不能隱藏的…你們的光也當這樣照在人前，叫他們看見你們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父。」(馬太福音5章14-16節)
我們要透過追求卓越體現基督的同在。上帝把一切都做得甚好。身為祂的兒女，我們也應努力做到這一點。「你看見辦事殷勤的人嗎？他必站在君王面前，必不站在下賤人面前。」(箴言22章29節)
我們要以誠實和正直成為眾所周知的人。在妥協很普遍的工作環境中，我們可以堅守誠實和正直的承諾，讓自己在所有的行事中顯得與眾不同。「公道的天平和秤都屬耶和華；囊中一切法碼都為他所定。」(箴言16章11節)，「正直人的純正必引導自己；奸詐人的乖僻必毀滅自己。」(箴言11章3節)
© 2024. Robert J. Tamasy 是企業巔峰: 給今日職場從箴言而來永恆的智慧 一書的作者。也與導師之心的作者David A. Stoddard 合著Tufting Legacies。編輯多本著作包括Mike Landry. Bob的書：透過苦難成長。Mike Landry. Bob的網站為www.bobtamasy-readywriterink.com.
挑戰思考
在世俗、往往是無神論的職場中，尋求服事並有效地代表耶穌基督，似乎是一項孤單、甚至是難以承受的挑戰。只倚靠我們自己是無法成功的，上帝也不期望我們這樣做。如果你的願望是在你工作的地方讓人知道，你是一個為耶穌而活的人，找到其他人互相支持和鼓勵會更容易些，你的願望就會更容易實現－你目前可能参加了CBMC團隊－區域分會或Forum－你可以在這些地方找到這樣的支持。如果還沒有，可以禱告，開始加入一個志同道合、致力於在職場中事奉基督的CBMC分會或Forum。
備註：如果你有聖經，想閱讀更多相關的內容，請參考以下的經文：
箴言17章27節
17:27 寡少言語的，有知識；性情溫良的，有聰明。
箴言27章17節
27:17鐵磨鐵，磨出刃來；朋友相感（原文作磨朋友的臉）也是如此。
傳道書4章9-12節
4:9 兩個人總比一個人好，因為二人勞碌同得美好的果效。
4:10若是跌倒，這人可以扶起他的同伴；若是孤身跌倒，沒有別人扶起他來，這人就有禍了。
4:11再者，二人同睡就都暖和，一人獨睡怎能暖和呢？
4:12有人攻勝孤身一人，若有二人便能敵擋他；三股合成的繩子不容易折斷。
使徒行傳1章8節
1:8 但聖靈降臨在你們身上，你們就必得著能力，並要在耶路撒冷、猶太全地，和撒瑪利亞，直到地極，作我的見證。」
哥林多前書3章9節
3:9 因為我們是與神同工的；你們是神所耕種的田地，所建造的房屋。
歌羅西書3章23-24節
3:23 無論做什麼，都要從心裡做，像是給主做的，不是給人做的，
3:24因你們知道從主那裡必得著基業為賞賜；你們所事奉的乃是主基督。
反省與問題討論
- 本文描述了四種不同的工作情境，從熱愛我們的工作到每天都在挑戰的環境中被困住。請描述你目前的狀態以及你是如何應對的。
- 你如何看待詩人向上帝祈求「堅立我們手所做的工」？另一種翻譯將其表達為「為我們堅固手中所做的工作」，彷彿上帝在說：「相信我。我把你放在我想要的地方，至少現在是這樣。」你是否感覺這對你而言是真實的？請解釋你的答案。
- 如果有人在法庭上指控你是「基督的職場天國大使」，你認為是否有足夠的證據來證明這個指控是正確的呢？請解釋你的答案。
- 我們被命令要以一種「讓我們的光照耀」，以這樣的方式讓其他人注意到，而且最終歸榮耀給上帝。在實際的日常生活中，你認為這意味著什麼呢 – 看起來是怎樣的呢？
CONFIRMING THE WORK OF OUR HANDS
By Robert J. Tamasy
How would you evaluate your current work situation? Is it the best job you have ever had? Is it adequate for the moment, but only a steppingstone for where you would like your career to go in the future? Are you actively looking for a better opportunity? Or is it a situation where you feel stuck, making it a daily challenge just to get out of bed and show up for work?
Most of us have probably been in two or three of those circumstances at least once. Even the best job, we must admit, is not perfect. The “ideal job” will still have elements we wish we could change; any time people are involved, there will be problems.
The question is, how are we doing in the job we presently have, whether we are excited to go to work every day or not? This is particularly important for those who are followers of Jesus, recognizing we are called to be “Christ’s ambassadors,” as 2 Corinthians 5:20 describes us. Are we difference-makers, reflecting the light of Christ to our employers, colleagues, customers, and others we encounter every day, or are we like coworkers who grumble and complain throughout the day?
In Psalm 90:17 we read this compelling request: “May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.” There might be times when we look longingly toward other job opportunities, but as someone has observed, God expects us to serve and represent Him where we are – we certainly cannot serve and represent Him where we are not.
How do we go about reconciling our current work situation – good or bad – with our calling to be disciples of Jesus Christ wherever we go? Here are some principles from the Scriptures that can help:
We are to approach our work with peace and thankfulness. When we handle difficult situations with grace and joy, other people will notice. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful…. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:15,17).
We are to display the light of Christ through our work, as well as through our words. In a world dominated by darkness and evil, our faith in the Lord will shine ever more brightly. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden…. In the same way, let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
We are to reflect Christ’s presence through our pursuit of excellence. God does everything well. As His children, we should strive to do the same. “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men” (Proverbs 22:29).
We are to become known for our honesty and integrity. In working environments where compromise is so common, we can stand out by our commitment to being honest and upholding integrity in all of our dealings. “Honest scales and balances are from the Lord; all the weights in the bag are of His making” (Proverbs 16:11). “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity” (Proverbs 11:3).
© 2024. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; andThe Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
- Four different work scenarios are described, ranging from loving our jobs to feeling stuck in situations we struggle with every day. Describe your current circumstances and how you are dealing with them.
- What do you think of the psalmist’s request for God to “establish the work of our hands”? Another translation expresses it as “confirm for us the work of our hands,” as if God were saying, “Trust Me. I have you exactly where I want you, at least for now.” Do you sense this is true for you? Explain your answer.
- Imagine you are in a court of law, and someone accuses you of being “Christ’s ambassador.” Do you think there would be enough evidence to convict you? Why or why not?
- We are commanded to “let our light shine” in such a way that others will notice and ultimately, give glory to God. What do you think this means in a practical, everyday way – what does it look like?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:
Proverbs 17:27, 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Colossians 3:23-24
Challenge for This Week
Seeking to serve and effectively represent Jesus Christ in the secular, often godless workplace can seem like a lonely, even overwhelming challenge. We cannot do this successfully on our own – and God does not expect us to do so. If your desire is to be known as a person who is living for Jesus where you work, it will be easier if you find other people for mutual support and encouragement. You may currently be in a CBMC group – a Connect 3 team, a Young Professionals or Trusted Advisors group – where you can find this kind of help. If not, pray about starting or becoming part of a group of likeminded people committed to serving Christ in the marketplace.
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