Monday, October 7, 2024

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葡萄樹傳媒

你會告訴你的同事嗎?

By:Ken Korkow

當你看到你的同事從廁所出來忘記拉上拉鍊,你會告訴他,讓他避免尷尬的狀況嗎?如果你工作完走近停車場,跟你的同事聊天,看見你同事的車胎漏氣了,你會告訴他使他避免回家的時候車子發生大問題嗎?

或者你發現同事有一個令人不快的習慣或是特質讓他不能跟著公司成長,你會建議他做一些正面的改變嗎?告訴別人需要改變的地方不是件容易的事,因為並非每個人都會給你正面的回應。但是我們都同意,告訴別人使他們有改變的機會是最好的。如果別人告訴我們讓我們有改進的機會,我們也會很感謝他們。

換一個情況,如果你有一個很有益處的資訊要跟你的同事分享,例如說:是一個新的電腦的軟體,可以大大地增進工作上的效率或者可以更了解客戶的需要,增加銷售量,你會告訴你的同事嗎?你希望你的同事告訴你這些有用的資訊嗎?

也許我們沒有法律或是道德上的義務告訴他們這些,但是做這些關懷和有熱情的事是對的。我發現一件很有趣的事,當提到屬靈的事,我們常會覺得我們把自己的信念強加在他人身上。無論別人同不同意,我們的確都需要尊重其他人的想法。但如果這是攸關於我們的信仰,對個人和專業都非常重要的事情,我們為何不願意去告訴別人呢?

十九世紀,英國的佈道家司布真Charles H. Spurgeon 說了一句非常有力的話:「如果罪人被咒罵,至少讓他們越過我們跳進地獄。如果他們會滅亡,讓我們的手臂抓住他們的膝蓋。不讓他們沒有他人的警告或是禱告就到地獄。」這無疑是非常強烈的一句話,來自一顆熱情和令人信服的心。

在新約裡面,耶穌給他的聽眾做了一個解釋:「我就是道路真理生命,若不藉著我沒有人可以到父那裡去。」(約翰福音14章6節)每天我們都會遇到一些以為信什麼都好,或是認為沒有來生的人。如果,我們真的相信耶穌、天堂和地獄,為什麼我們不告訴他們呢?

在歌羅西書1章28-29節裡,使徒保羅說:「我們傳揚他,是用諸般的智慧,勸戒各人,教導各人,要把各人在基督裡完完全全的引到神面前。我也為此勞苦,照著他在我裡面運用的大能盡心竭力。

讓我問你一件事:「如果你看到我走向永死的地獄,你會告訴我嗎?」

肯恩.寇克住在美國內布拉斯加州的Omaha市,在那裡他擔任CBMC的區域總幹事。本篇文章改編自他每週寫的「生活傳真」專欄。我們獲得允許轉載。

省思 / 討論題目
你是否曾經告訴你的同事,關於他的問題?當時你是否有遲疑?他是如何回應的? 如果有人鼓起勇氣來告訴你一個你自己沒有注意到的問題,你的感覺如何? 你覺得人們為什麼不願意去告訴其他人關於信仰或者他關於精神或是生活上面的問題?即使是在商業或是專業的領域裡? 有其他人在職場,告訴你關於屬靈或者跟信仰相關的事情嗎?如果有,你是如何回應的呢?就你看來,講這些事情是恰當的嗎?若你想要看或討論聖經中有關此主題的其他經文,請看:約翰福音3章16節;馬太福音28章18-20節;以弗所書6章19-20節;歌羅西書4章5-6節;彼得前書3章15節

WOULD YOU TELL YOUR COLLEAGUE?
By Ken Korkow

If you saw a work colleague come out of a restroom and noticed he had forgotten to pull up the zipper on his pants, would you tell him to avert a potentially embarrassing situation? If you were walking in the parking lot after work, stopped to talk briefly with a coworker and noticed a tire on her car appeared very low, would you tell her so she could avoid a major problem on the way home?

Or if you recognized a friend of work had a disturbing habit or trait that was preventing that person from advancing within the company, would you tactfully tell him or her so positive changes could be made? This last situation probably would be the most difficult, since not everyone responds favorably when flaws are pointed out. But I think we would agree in all three scenarios, it would be best to inform them and give them the opportunity to correct the situation. And we would most likely appreciate it if we were having any of those problems and someone told us.

Switching the circumstances a bit, suppose you had very helpful information to share with a colleague. For instance, new computer software that could greatly enhance the quality of his or her work. Or some insight into a client”s needs that could assist in closing a crucial sale. Would you tell your colleague? Or would you want that person to inform you if they had such useful information?

We might not have a legal or even ethical obligation to do so, but it would be the right thing to do – the caring, compassionate thing to do. I find it interesting, however, that when it comes to discussing matters of spiritual importance, we often feel as if we are “imposing” upon others to communicate our deeply held beliefs. Yes, we need to respect what other people believe, whether they agree with us or not. But if we are convinced matters of faith are important, whether in our personal or professional lives, why are we often reluctant to talk with others about them?

In the 19th century, British preacher Charles H. Spurgeon made this powerful statement that still challenges us today: "If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for." Strong words, no doubt, but spoken from an impassioned, persuaded heart.

In the New Testament, Jesus made a declaration many of His hearers probably considered audacious, even intolerant: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Every day we encounter people who believe there are “many ways to God,” and others who believe this life is all there is. But if we really believe in a heaven and a hell, and that Jesus offers the only way to spending eternity with God, is it wrong to want to tell others?

In Colossians 1:28-29, the apostle Paul wrote, "We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me."

Let me ask you: If you saw I was headed to eternal hell – would you tell me?

Ken Korkow lives in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A., where he serves as an area director for CBMC. This is adapted from the “Fax of Life” column that he writes each week. Used with permission.

Reflection/Discussion Questions
Have you ever approached a colleague or coworker to inform them about a problem they were having, large or small? Were you at all hesitant to tell them? How did they respond? How would you feel if you were having a problem that you were unaware of, for whatever reason, and no one was concerned enough or had the courage to tell you about it? Why do you think people are reluctant to talk with others about matters of faith, even when they think spirituality is an important element of life – even in the business and professional world? Has anyone ever talked with you about spiritual or faith-related matters in a work context? If so, what was your response? When, in your opinion, is it appropriate to have conversations or discussions like that – and when is it not appropriate?NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: John 3:16; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 6:19-20; Colossians 4:5-6; 1 Peter 3:15

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