善用我們的天賦
By Robert J. Tamasy
我們常常會聽到有些人被描述成「靠自己力量成功的男人」或「白手起家的女人」。意思就是說他們所有的成就和成功都完全是他們自己努力奮鬥的結果。也許你認為自己就是其中之一。
這種描述有什麼問題？畢竟有很多人確實出生弱勢，或是克服各種障礙才終至成功。他們「擊敗困難」後才達到現在的高度。即便是沒有碰到重大阻礙的人，也常常因為自己投資在事業上的時間和精力而認為自己是「靠自己成功的」。
我高中畢業時雖然被認為是一個好學生，卻不是大家認為那種「最可能成功」的人。不過一路走來，我學到了勤奮、紀律和決心的價值。一週工作遠遠超過40個小時是我的常態，為了盡到我的責任、臻至成功，我總是在工作中投入最大量的精力和時間。
但是，我從來沒有覺得自己的成功全是靠自己努力的結果。雖然我精通書寫和編輯，也透過時間和經驗淬鍊我的技能，我的才能並非從零開始培養。我喜歡閱讀，具有天生的寫作能力。這些能力和才能是與生俱來的，不是商店買來的，也不是我製造的。我出生就擁有它們。當我意識到自己擁有也喜歡運用這些天賦時，我就上學接受教育訓練，尋找運用這些天賦的機會。
聖經中的一個真理印證了我的信念：任何「單靠自己就能成功」的認知都是嚴重的錯覺。以弗所書2章10節說：「我們原是他的工作，在基督耶穌裏造成的，為要叫我們行善，就是 神所預備叫我們行的。」這段經文說明我們–而不是我們所作的–是上帝的「工作」。有些翻譯會翻成「工藝」而不是工作，就某些層面而言，這樣的翻譯讓這段經文富含更深刻的意義。
在最近的一次安靜默想中，作家艾莉莎‧摩根(Elisa Morgan)解釋說，工藝一詞「意味著藝術作品或傑作」。你曾否視自己為「藝術品」或「傑作」，就像在某些博物館中展出的藝術作品一樣？這就是聖經描述我們的方式。
這讓人想起另一段類似的經文。古代以色列的大衛王寫道：「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，這是我心深知道的。」（詩篇139篇13-14節）
讀這段經文讓我感到既謙卑又讚嘆。我相信它也能在我們每一個人心中引起類似的感受。你能想像這位創造了奧妙大自然及宇宙、統管萬有的上帝，將我們每個人都個別化地視為神聖的藝術品，是祂自豪地在「展示廳」中陳列的傑作嗎？
你是什麼樣的「工藝」？也許你擅長領導或管理；或許你在銷售方面表現出色；又或者你有創業的夢想；也可能你有獨特的藝術能力或成為工匠的技能。你可能投入了無數的時間、汗水和眼淚才走到現在的位置。不過你一直在使用上帝最初賜給你的一切。你是他的「傑作」！
© 2019. Robert J. TamasyIt 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, 他的雙週部落格為: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com
反省與問題討論
你認識任何覺得自己是「靠自己成功」的人嗎？你自己又如何–你把自己截至目前為止獲得的成功歸因給誰？ 你相信甚至當我們還在母親的肚子裡時，上帝就給予我們每個人特定的天賦、才幹和能力嗎？請解釋、分享你的答案。 當你想到「工藝」一詞時，會聯想到什麼？ 當有人告訴你，你是上帝的一件藝術品、一個傑作，你感覺如何？你感到興奮嗎？自覺渺小嗎？超過你的想像，讓你難以置信？如果我們真的是祂手中的工作，你應該如何回應祂？
備註：如果你手上有聖經，希望閱讀更多和這個主題相關的訊息，請參考下面的經文：
以賽亞書43章7節
43:7 就是凡稱為我名下的人，是我為自己的榮耀創造的，是我所做成，所造作的。
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。
以弗所書1章3-9節
1:3 願頌讚歸與我們主耶穌基督的父 神！他在基督裏曾賜給我們天上各樣屬靈的福氣：
1:4 就如 神從創立世界以前，在基督裏揀選了我們，使我們在他面前成為聖潔，無有瑕疵；
1:5 又因愛我們，就按著自己的意旨所喜悅的，預定我們藉著耶穌基督得兒子的名分，
1:6 使他榮耀的恩典得著稱讚；這恩典是他在愛子裏所賜給我們的。
1:7 我們藉這愛子的血得蒙救贖，過犯得以赦免，乃是照他豐富的恩典。
1:8 這恩典是 神用諸般智慧聰明，充充足足賞給我們的；
1:9 都是照他自己所預定的美意，叫我們知道他旨意的奧祕，
提摩太後書2章20-21節
2:20 在大戶人家，不但有金器銀器，也有木器瓦器；有作為貴重的，有作為卑賤的。
2:21 人若自潔，脫離卑賤的事，就必作貴重的器皿，成為聖潔，合乎主用，預備行各樣的善事。
提摩太後書3章16-17節
3:16 聖經都是 神所默示的（或譯：凡 神所默示的聖經），於教訓、督責、使人歸正、教導人學義都是有益的，
3:17 叫屬 神的人得以完全，預備行各樣的善事。
TAKING CARE OF OUR”HANDIWORK”
By Robert J. Tamasy
From time to time we hear of someone described as a “self-made man” or “self-made woman.” The implication is that all they have become and all they have accomplished is the direct result of their own initiative and hard work. Perhaps you regard yourself as one of them.
What is wrong with using that term? After all, many people have come from disadvantaged backgrounds, or overcome various obstacles to achieve their levels of success. They have “beaten the odds” to reach the heights they have attained. Even people who did not confront great adversity often consider themselves “self-made,” given the time and energy they invested in their careers.
When I graduated from high school, although I was regarded as a good student, I doubt that anyone was envisioning me as “most likely to succeed.” But somewhere along the way I learned the value of hard work, discipline and determination. Work weeks that far exceeded the 40-hour standard were my norm; I worked as hard and as long as required to fulfill my responsibilities and succeed.
However, I never regarded my accomplishments the result of being self-made. Although I had learned how to write and edit, and honed my skills through time and experience, I did not start from ground zero. I had loved reading and had an innate proficiency in writing. These abilities and talents were natural, not store-bought, or manufactured by me. I possessed them from the birth. Once I realized what I had and discovered I enjoyed using these gifts, I pursued an education and opportunities for using them.
A truth from the Bible confirmed my conviction that any sense of being “self-made” would have been a great misconception. Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are God”s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This says that we – not what we do – are God”s “workmanship.” Another translation uses the term “handiwork” instead of workmanship, and in some respects gives the passage even more profound meaning.
In a recent meditation, writer Elisa Morgan explained the term handiwork “denotes a work of art or masterpiece.” Have you ever perceived yourself as a “work of art” or “masterpiece,” just as we regard artistic creations on display in some museum? That is how the Bible describes us.
This brings to mind another passage that presents a similar idea. King David of ancient Israel wrote, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother”s womb I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14)
Reading this makes me feel both humbled and amazed. And I believe it should evoke similar feelngs in each of us. Can you imagine the God of the universe, who created the wonders of nature as well as the universe, being so personal that He divinely conceived each one of us as works of art, masterpieces He is proud to display in His “exhibit hall”?
What kind of “handiwork” are you? Perhaps your forte is leadership, or administration. Maybe you excel in sales, or possess entrepreneurial vision. Or have unique artistic abilities or capabilities as a craftsman. You may have invested countless hours, sweat and tears getting to where you are now. But you have been using what God gave you initially. You are his “masterpiece”!
© 2019. 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 biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Who do you know that considers himself or herself “self-made”? What about yourself – to what (or who) do you attribute whatever success you have achieved to this point? Do you believe that, perhaps even in the womb and certainly from birth, God imparts to each of us certain abilities, talents and skills? Why or why not? When you think of the term “handiwork,” what comes to mind? How does it feel to be told that to God, you are a work of art, a masterpiece? Does it excite you? Humble you? Challenge your comprehension, leave you incredulous? If this is true, that we truly are His handiwork, what should be your response?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Isaiah 43:7; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 1:3-9; 2 Timothy 2:20-21, 3:16-17
