七個成功的秘訣

回顧屬靈的歷史，很少有人能像使徒保羅一樣。他的生命和在新約中的文字，對他人的生命產生極大的影響。即使在他生命的最後階段，保羅也用腳將福音傳遍整個羅馬帝國了。我們無法想像如果當時他有噴射機、手機或是傳真機，他會發揮怎樣更大的影響力。

現在我們很多人將生命奉獻在商業以及專業的世界中，但我相信，使徒保羅在如何使用自己的生命上，依然給我們很多啟示。以下是使徒保羅的七大成功生命的關鍵:

第一、方向感：為了成功，知道你往何處去？你的目標是甚麼？是非常地重要的！『向著標竿直跑，要得 神在基督耶穌裏從上面召我來得的獎賞』。（腓立比書3章14節）

第二、洞見：我們要能夠處理生命中發生的意外狀況以及災難。『我知道怎樣處卑賤，也知道怎樣處豐富；或飽足，或飢餓；或有餘，或缺乏，隨事隨在，我都得了祕訣』。（腓立比書4章12節）

第三、委身：一但我們開始了一個重要的事業，想要成功，就必須保持可以面對困難和挑戰的態度。『我卻不以性命為念，也不看為寶貴，只要行完我的路程，成就我從主耶穌所領受的職事，證明神恩惠的福音』。（使徒行傳20章24節）

第四、同理心：如同使徒保羅對他週遭人的需要很敏銳，我們也必須竭力去保護與我們同工的人最大的利益。『我若有先知講道之能，也明白各樣的奧祕，各樣的知識，而且有全備的信，叫我能夠移山，卻沒有愛，我就算不得甚麼。我若將所有的賙濟窮人，又捨己身叫人焚燒，卻沒有愛，仍然與我無益。』(哥林多前書13章2-3節)

第五、熱切的信心：成功的領導者，強烈地相信在他們的使命當中，熱情是會傳染的。『我靠著那加給我力量的，凡事都能做』。(腓立比書4章13節)

第六、服務他人：自我中心的領導者，通常只能維持很短的時間。然而，獻身服務他人的領導者，可以幫助別人達成他們的目標，也會有熱情的追隨者。『我也甘心樂意為你們的靈魂費財費力…』(哥林多後書2章15節)

第七、持續的影響力：俗話說的好：「重要的不是我們如何開始，而是我們如何結束！」對使徒保羅來說，這句話是千真萬確的。『我們四面受敵，卻不被困住；心裏作難，卻不至失望； 遭逼迫，卻不被丟棄；打倒了，卻不至死亡』。(哥林多後書4章8-9節)

請持續地在你的生命中建造這樣的生命特質，然後看看會有甚麼事發生！

Looking historically, as well as spiritually, few people have made as much of an impact with their lives as the apostle Paul, whose life and writings are presented in the Bible”s New Testament. By the end of his life, Paul had been instrumental in spreading the Christian faith across the entire Roman Empire, despite traveling mostly on foot. Imagine what he might have accomplished if he he”d had a jet, a cellular phone, and a fax machine!

Even though many of us devote our lives to pursuits in the business and professional world, I believe the life of Paul offers many lessons that we could apply to our own lives. Here are keys to his successful life:

SENSE OF DIRECTION: To achieve success, it is important to know where you are going – what your goals and objectives are. “I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize…” (Philippians 3:14).

UNDERSTANDING: We need to be able to deal with unexpected circumstances and rise above adversity. “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (Philippians 4:12).

COMMITMENT: Once we embark on an important enterprise, success requires willingness to persevere in the face of difficulties and challenges. “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me” (Acts 20:24).

COMPASSION: Just as the apostle Paul remained sensitive to the needs of people around him, we also must strive to protect the best interests of those working with us. “I may have all knowledge…and the faith to move mountains…but if I don”t have love, it does me no good” (1 Corinthians 13:2-3).

ENTHUSIASTIC FAITH: Successful leaders believe strongly in their mission, and their enthusiasm is contagious. “I have the strength for all things through Christ who empowers me. I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me” (Philippians 4:13).

SERVICE TO OTHERS: Self-centered leaders generally have short tenures. The leader devoted to serving others, helping them reach their goals, is the one that finds eager followers. “I will be glad to spend all I have, and myself as well, in order to help you” (2 Corinthians 12:15).

STAYING POWER: The adage reminds us, “It is not how you start, but how you finish.” This certainly was true of Paul. “I am hard-pressed on all sides, but I”m never frustrated; I”m puzzled, but never in despair; I am persecuted, but I”m never deserted by God; I may be knocked down but I”m never knocked out!” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Try building these qualities into your own life and see what happens.

© 2011, 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.

Reflection/Discussion Questions