動蕩時期的清新訊息

最近一位朋友告訴我，他發現企業主的透明度增加了。他說：「兩年前，很少企業主會承認他們的企業有困難。但現在大多數的公司都在掙扎，使企業主願意向別人說出自己的重擔。」

這是令人鼓舞的事，因為多年來企業主、執行長和其他高級主管都認為「在高位的人很孤單」，而且他們也似乎喜歡那樣。然而，在尋求因應經濟下滑和不確定的未來時，他們顯然轉向另一個諺語：「痛苦的人需要陪伴。」當然，他們一定有許多苦水要吐。

這是好消息的原因之一是，不論在職場、家中或社區裡，生活都不應是孤獨的。聖經記載在創造時上帝說：「那人獨居不好」（創世記2章18節）。幾千年來狀況並沒有改變。上帝創造人類，就是要人與人之間彼此建立關係，團隊合作並彼此扶持。請思想以下經文：
「鐵磨鐵，磨出刃來；朋友相感也是如此。」（箴言27章17節） 「兩個人總比一個人好，因為二人勞碌同得美好的果效…三股合成的繩子不容易折斷。」（傳道書4章9、12節） 「無智謀，民就敗落；謀士多，人便安居。」（箴言11章19節） 「不先商議，所謀無效；謀士眾多，所謀乃成。」（箴言15章22節）至少，在這挑戰性的時期裡，愈來愈多企業主願意說出他們的困難，就使他們有機會去接受－－並給予－－安慰，且互相了解。如哥林多後書1章4節告訴我們上帝「安慰我們，叫我們能用神所賜的安慰去安慰那遭各樣患難的人」。在困難的時刻，沒有什麼事比覺得自己孤單地經歷困境更糟了。

對職場的基督徒而言，這也提供一個好機會效法耶穌，去減輕別人的重擔。在馬太福音11章28-29節耶穌說：「凡勞苦擔重擔的人可以到我這裡來，我就使你們得安息。我心裡柔和謙卑，你們當負我的軛，學我的樣式；這樣，你們心裡就必得享安息。」上帝喜歡幫助祂的子民，減輕他們的重擔，並讓他們心中有平安。

同時，祂呼召信徒來，不是被動地站在旁邊，看著別人掙扎。有時我們有機會去分擔別人的重擔，不論是提供特別的支助、提供建言或是提供一個傾聽的耳。如使徒保羅所說：「你們各人的重擔要互相擔當，如此，就完全了基督的律法」（加拉太書6章2節）。

這不是一個空洞的理想或無意義的華麗言辭。這是一個真實的呼召，要我們去行動。若你遇到一個背重擔的人，可能正是把耶穌那令人振奮之信息傳給他的好時機，不只在言語上，也在行為上，藉著你所能做的去分擔他們的重擔。

思想 / 討論題目
在這經濟動蕩的時候，你是否觀察到職場的人職場上的人變得更願意談論他們的挑戰與困難？ 你自己呢？當你面對似乎難以解決的問題時，你是否也準備向別人透露，至少向你信任的朋友或同事說？請解釋。 聖經談到許多有關人際關係和不要獨自生活的重要性。聖經的話讓你了解到有關分擔別人重擔的什麼事？ 若你留心合作的觀念，不論是實際與別人團隊合作、尋求別人的意見、或提供並接受其他形式的支持，你需要做什麼改變？註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言12章15節，19章20節，20章18節，24章5-6節；阿摩司書3章3節；路加福音10章1-17節

A REFRESHING MESSAGE IN TROUBLING TIMES

By: Rick Boxx

Recently a friend commented to me about the increased transparency he has observed among business owners. "Two years ago," my friend said, "it was rare that any leaders would admit to difficulties in their business. But now that most are struggling, it has given them freedom to share their burdens with others."

This is encouraging because for many years, business owners, CEOs and other top executives have ascribed to the notion that “It”s lonely at the top,” and they seemed to prefer having it that way. However, in seeking to cope with the economic downturn and future uncertainty, they apparently have turned to another adage: “Misery loves company.” And there certainly has been enough misery to go around.

One reason this is good news is that life – whether in the workplace, the home or the community – is not intended to be lived alone. In the biblical account of the Creation, God declares, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18), and nothing has changed over the thousands of years since then. Mankind was designed for relationship, teamwork and support. Consider the following passages:
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work…. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9,12). “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure” (Proverbs 11:14). “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22).
At the very least, the increased openness and candor among business and professional leaders during these challenging times has afforded them an opportunity to receive – and to give – comfort and mutual understanding. As 2 Corinthians 1:4 tells us, God “comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” During difficult times, there can be nothing worse than the feeling that you are the only one going through such adversity.

Ultimately, for followers of Jesus Christ in the workplace, this provides a great opportunity to model what He taught by doing what we can to lighten the load of others. In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” One of God”s great delights is to come to the aid of His people, lightening their burdens and offering them peace of mind in exchange.

At the same time, He does not call His followers to stand by passively and watch others in their struggles. There are times when we have an opportunity to help in carrying their burdens, whether that means providing specific assistance, offering advice, or simply lending a sympathetic ear. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Carry each other”s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

This is not empty idealism or meaningless rhetoric. It is a genuine call to action. If you meet someone carrying a heavy load, it might be exactly the right time to pass on Jesus’ refreshing message, not only in word but also in deed, by doing what you can to share in their burdens.

Reflection/Discussion Questions
What has been your observation – has it seemed that people in the workplace have become more willing to talk openly about their challenges and difficulties during these times of economic upheaval? How about yourself: Do you readily confide in others, at least trusted friends and colleagues, when you are facing problems that seem to be without easy resolution? Explain your answer. The Bible seems to have a lot to say about the relationships and the importance of not functioning alone in a “vacuum.” What does that tell you about the importance of sharing in one another”s burdens, whatever they may be? If you took to heart these ideas of working together, whether actually teaming up with others on projects, seeking and seriously considering the counsel of others, or providing and receiving other forms of support, what changes might you need to make?NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages:
Proverbs 12:15, 19:20, 20:18, 24:5-6; Amos 3:3; Luke 10:1-17