Sunday, December 22, 2024

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葡萄樹傳媒

你是否頑固得不願問路?

By Robert J. Tamasy

依你之見,哪一種發明對人類的影響最大?這個清單一定多得無法列得完整,但在重大影響的發明中一定包括電燈、汽車、飛機、合成纖維、個人電腦、網路、行動電話。你可能還可以想出許多其他的發明,但最近還有一個我想加入這清單的工具是衛星導航系統(GPS)。

像我這種「沒有方向感」的人,衛星導航系統是上帝賜下的禮物。若你對我說明10次如何到某個地點,可能在第11次時我仍然還是會再問你。不論是什麼原因,我的頭腦就是記不住我不常拜訪之地點的方向資訊。所以衛星導航系統是一個很大的幫助,尤其當人們到不熟悉的城市旅行時。

據觀察,許多男人特別不願意問路,他們對自己不靠任何人或科技的幫忙就能抵達目的地感到自豪。然而,這沒什麼道理。若你想到某個地點,為什麼不試著去知道最好、最快的路線?

是否有一種「衛星導航系統」可以為我們每天艱難、無法預測的生活提供正確的道路:最適合我的職業是什麼?現在是換工作的好時機嗎?要如何創新我們的事業以迎合不斷改變的市場?我應在何時作那投資?我們所尋找的那個重要員工在哪裡?平衡我個人生活及工作的最佳方式是什麼?我如何能脫離債務?

事實上,確實有這種「裝置」。我們知道那就是聖經。我們也可稱它是GPS-上帝導航系統(God”s Positioning System)。讓我來解釋:

信任「導航員」。當我們在車上使用衛星導航系統,若我們信任它引導我們到目的地的指示,我們就得到很大的幫助。過去的時間和經驗教導我,上帝想要做我們生命中的導航員來幫助我們。幾年前我學到這節經文,它常常提醒我:「要專心仰賴耶和華,不可倚靠自己的聰明,在你一切所行的事上都要認定他,他必指引你的路」(箴言3章5-6節)。

願意改變方向。當我們在車子裡使用衛星導航系統,若我們轉錯了彎,我們就會聽到「重新導向」。然後它就會修改方向,使我們能開向目的地。同樣的,若我們願意信靠上帝,祂會重新為我們的生命導向,更正我們的決定,並調整我們的計畫,使我們能夠完成我們的目標,不論是個人生活上或工作上的。「人心籌算自己的道路;惟耶和華指引他的腳步。」(箴言16章9節)。

即使在不熟悉的環境仍保持信任。
當我們倚賴衛星導航系統開車時,有時我們會懷疑,「這個方向正確嗎?」通常不信任衛星導航系統,並開始靠自己的判斷和直覺,我們就會走入困境且發現自己迷路,離我們要去之處更遠了。這就是為何信靠上帝的智慧與引導是非常重要的。「耶和華說:我知道我向你們所懷的意念是賜平安的意念,不是降災禍的意念,要叫你們末後有指望」(耶利米書29章11節)。

今天你如何走生命的道路?你在走這旅程時,從何處得指引?

勞勃.泰默西是領袖資產協會的傳播部副部長,這是一個總部在美國喬治亞州亞特蘭大的非營利組織。他也是一個有40年經驗的退休新聞工作者。他寫過一本書「最佳狀態的商業:箴言給今日職場的歷久彌新智慧」(Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace)。他也與David A. Stoddard合著一本書「導師之心」(The Heart of Mentoring)。要了解更多資訊, 可上網www.leaderslegacy.com 或上他的部落格www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com以及www.bobtamasy.wordpress.com 。

省思 / 討論題目
請描述你使用車上衛星導航系統的經驗。你是否覺得它很有用?為什麼? 你對於把聖經當作GPS-上帝導航系統有何看法?請解釋。 為何有人覺得問路很困難--不論在旅行或生活各層面的方向? 你認為聖經可以如何有效地提供所需的指引--不論是工作或個人生活上?註:若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文,請看:
詩篇37篇4-5節;箴言11章14節,15章22節,20章18節;耶利米書29章12-14節,33章2-3節;約翰福音10章1-15節,14章5-6節


ARE YOU TOO STUBBORN TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS?

By Robert J. Tamasy

Which inventions, in your opinion, have had the greatest impact on mankind? It would be impossible to compile a complete list, but certainly among the most significant have been innovations like the electric light, automobile, airplane, synthetic fibers, personal computer, Internet, cell phone. You can probably think of many others, but one more recent tool I would add to the list is the global positioning system (GPS).

For “directionally challenged” people like me, the GPS is a godsend. If you give me directions for how to get somewhere 10 times, it is likely the 11th time I will have to ask you again. For whatever reason, my mind does not retain linear information such as directions to a destination I do not visit frequently. So having a GPS is a great help, especially when traveling in an unfamiliar city.

It has been observed that many men are particularly reluctant to ask directions – they take pride in being able to reach a destination without anyone”s help, human or technological. To me, however, that makes little sense. If your intent is to arrive at a certain place, why not try to learn the best, most efficient route?

What if a “GPS” were available for charting the often rough, unpredictable terrain of our everyday lives: What is the best career for me? Is this a good time to change jobs? How can we reinvent our business to appeal to a changing market? When should I make that investment? Where is that key staff person we are seeking? What is the best way to balance my personal and professional life? How do I get out of debt?

Actually, there is such a “device.” We know it as the Bible. We could also call it a GPS – God”s Positioning System. Let me explain:

Trust the “navigator.” When using a GPS in an automobile, it serves us best when we trust in its directions for guiding us to the destination. Time and experience have taught me God desires to serve as our navigator through life. Years ago I learned this verse, which has served as a continual reminder: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Be willing to change direction. When using an in-car GPS, if we make an incorrect turn we will hear it say, “recalculating.” Then it will revise the directions to keep us headed toward the destination. In a similar way, if we are willing to trust Him, God will redirect our lives, correct our decisions and adjust our plans to enable us to fulfill our goals and objectives, both personally and professionally. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

Remain confident even when surroundings seem unfamiliar. When driving in a car relying on a GPS, there are times when we wonder, “Are these directions right?” Usually, failure to trust the GPS and starting to rely on our own judgment and intuition instead is when we get into difficulty and find ourselves lost, far from where we wanted to go. This is why it is important to trust in God”s wisdom and guidance as well. “”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).

How are you traveling through life today? Where are you getting guidance you need for the journey?

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. A veteran journalist, he has written Tufting Legacies (iUniverse); Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace (River City Press); and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring (NavPress). For more information, see www.leaderslegacy.com or his blogs, www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com and www.bobtamasy.wordpress.com.

Reflection/Discussion Questions
Describe your experience in using an in-car global positioning system. Have you found it useful? Why or why not? What is your reaction to the idea of the Bible serving as a GPS – God”s Positioning System? Explain your answer. Why do you think some people find it so difficult to ask for directions – whether for traveling, or for life in general? How do you think the Bible can be used most effectively for providing much-needed direction, whether professional or personal concerns are involved? NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review additional passages that relate to this topic, consider the following verses: Psalm 37:4-5; Proverbs 11:14, 15:22, 20:18; Jeremiah 29:12-14, 33:2-3; John 10:1-15, 14:5-6

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