你不需要一手包辦
By: Rick Foster
美國中西部和世界上其他地區的農耕機開始運作了，約翰迪爾、福特、新荷蘭、梅西弗耕森各種廠牌的耕耘機都出籠了。 農夫在每年固定的時候耕種，他們會種玉米、小麥、黃豆和棉花，然後依據天氣，灌溉系統會灌溉這些農地。
灌溉之後，農夫要做什麼?除了施肥和噴灑除蟲劑之外，他的工作就只是在旁邊看和等！的確農夫的管理能力是必要的，但是他也必須等待種子發芽和生長。所以無論他有多麼期待，農夫也沒有能力強迫農作物生長。
在新約聖經中，使徒保羅提到屬靈生命的成長:「我栽種了，亞波羅澆灌了，惟有 神叫他生長。」(哥林多前書3章6節)
對我們這些生活在服務至上的經濟體系裡的人，我們傾向於「讓事情發生」，沒有人認真思考過等待和觀察這兩件事。在職場上也是只表揚有業績的人。我們也許同意使徒保羅的邏輯，但是我們已經離農業社會太遠了，等待和觀察已經變成少見和落伍的字眼了。
當我們瘋狂地在現代的商業經濟體系奔跑、追求自己個人的事業成功或是服務他人時，或許我們該用聖經裡的智慧和謙卑來審視一下我們能做和不能做的事。下面我們來看使徒保羅給我們睿智的建議:
神不需要我們－「….可見栽種的，算不得甚麼，澆灌的，也算不得甚麼；只在那叫他生長的 神。」(哥林多前書3章7節) 但是神選擇使用我們，也喜悅如此行－「亞波羅算甚麼？保羅算甚麼？無非是執事…」(哥林多前書3章5節) 神給我們機會去服事祂和其他人，來完成祂神聖的使命－「….照主所賜給他們各人的，引導你們相信。」(哥林多前書3章5節)常常因為個人的不安全感或驕傲，我們說:「這是我做的！」希望得到榮耀和認同。然而事實上，讓這樣的虛榮和掌控遠離我們是多麼地重要！我們要謙卑地接受自己所做的僅僅是神已經做成一切的一部分。
你還記得2012超級盃的廣告裡，有一個小男孩穿著星際大戰裡黑武士的衣服，在房子裡跑，試著要用念力遙控烘乾機、狗和娃娃嗎?但是不管他再怎麼努力或是他的意志裡多麼堅強，並沒有發生任何事。後來他向車道上爸爸的車子舉起手時，車子的引擎突然點燃了。其實是因為站在廚房裡的爸爸拿遙控器去發動車子的引擎。
在電視廣告裡爸爸出面干預了，而神，我們在天上的父用更大、更深遠、更個人化和縝密的方式讓事情發生。因為耶穌在聖經裡很清楚地告訴門徒們：「因為離了我，你們就不能做甚麼。」(約翰福音15章5節) 使徒保羅也說:「我靠著那加給我力量的，凡事都能做。」(腓立比書4章13節)
羅勃．符思特創辦了美國柯羅拉多州靠近柯羅拉多州泉的「遺失谷牧場」。他是一位商人， 50多年來他也每週撰寫有關商業的默想文章，現在他居住在加州。
省思 / 討論題目
今天週一嗎哪所提到農耕比喻中，農夫即使盡了全力也要等待的是哪個部分?對二十一世紀的職場來說，你認為這個比喻跟我們有相關嗎? 你是否常常覺得這個工作必須仰賴你、如果你不一手包辦就不行?描述一下當你這麼想的感覺。 你覺得為什麼對某些人來說，承認沒有辦法一手包辦是一件很困難的事情? 當你已經盡了力，但事情依然非常困難棘手，你是否容易降服在神的面前，相信神會成就這件事?在你每天的工作中，這是不是你會做的事?解釋一下你的答案。註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：以賽亞書 41章10節;耶利米書 33章3節; 哥林多後書 12章9-10節; 腓立比書 4章19節
YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO ALL THE WORK
By Rick Foster
Tractors all over the midwestern United States and in agricultural areas around the world are roaring to life, starting their annual pilgrimage into the fields. John Deeres, Fords, New Hollands and Massey Fergusons will sow corn, wheat, soybean, and cottonseed and seeds for other crops. Then, depending on the weather, irrigation systems will hydrate those fields.
What does the farmer do next? Other than an application of fertilizer or insecticide, his job is simply to watch and wait! Something has to occur that is beyond the farmer’s ability to control or direct. The seed must germinate and begin to grow. The farmer, as much as he would like to, cannot force the growth.
In the New Testament of the Bible, the apostle Paul referred to this reality in spiritual terms when he stated, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth!" (1 Corinthians 3:6).
For those of us living predominantly in service-oriented economies where we have to "make it happen," no one thinks seriously about waiting and watching. The marketplace cheers the one who gets results. We are so far removed from the agricultural economy of our forefathers that even though we might agree with Paul’s logic, the impact of his words appears quaint and hopelessly out-of-date.
As we scurry about frantically, whether in the modern-day business and professional world, in our personal pursuits, or seeking to serve others, perhaps it is time for some core biblical truth to bring sanity and a sense of humility to our perspective about what we can do – and what we cannot. Paul”s comments later in the same passage offer enlightenment:
God does not need us. "Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything…" (1 Corinthians 3:7). God, however, chooses to use us and is pleased to do so. "What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants…" (1 Corinthians 3:5). God gives opportunities to us to be of service to Him and others, and to participate in His divine purposes. "…as the Lord has assigned to each his task" (1 Corinthians 3:5).Often, out of our insecurity or pride, we want to take the credit, to receive recognition: "I did this!” Yet how vital it is to let these truths filter deep within us so we release this need to take credit, or feel like we have to be in control. Instead, we can humbly accept our given roles in simply contributing to what God is doing in the world around us.
Do you remember the Super Bowl commercial in which the little boy runs around the house wearing a Darth Vader costume attempting to use "the Force"? Despite his best efforts and determination, nothing happens with the dryer, the dog or the doll. Then he raises his arms at his father”s car in the driveway. The lights blink and the engine starts – all to the amazement of the boy, and to the playfulness of the dad who was watching in the kitchen, starting the car with a wireless push button ignition.
In the TV commercial, the father intervened. In a far greater, more profound way, God our heavenly Father is intimately and intricately involved to make all things happen. The Bible makes this clear. Jesus told His followers, " apart from me, you can accomplish nothing" (John 15:5). Later, the apostle Paul declared, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Taken and adapted from The Challenge, written and published by Robert D. and Rick Foster. Permission to reproduce with proper credit is freely given and encouraged. For questions or comments, write: 29555 Goose Creek Rd, Sedalia, CO 80135, U.S.A., or fax (303) 647-2315.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
What can we learn from the agricultural analogy used in this “Monday Manna,” in which farmers do all they can and know to do, but ultimately must then wait on the outcome? Is this example relevant for the 21st century workplace? Why or why not? Are there times at work when you feel as if it all depends on you, that if you cannot do everything, it will not get done? Describe what that feeling is like for you. Why do you think it is hard for some people to admit that they cannot do it all, that the outcome of a project or endeavor does not rest squarely on their shoulders? How easy is it for you to yield to God”s control in difficult situations, to rest in the assurance that if you have done all that you can, He will accomplish the rest? Is that even a consideration for you during your typical workday? Explain your answer.If you would like to consider other Bible passages that relate to this topic, look up the following: Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 33:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 4:19
