極其駭人而美好的第一步
By Robert J. Tamasy
中國諺語說：「千里之行始於足下」。用更現代的話來說，除非你決定要開始，否則你就沒有辦法完成任何一件事。多數人的問題就在於他們從未開始。
我自己就有這樣的經驗。我曾有過一些夢想，甚至可以說是人生目標，但我卻從來沒有完成它們，原因是我從未跨出那第一步。即使我現在已經是一位專業作家了，卻從未寫過一本小說， 因為我還沒有邁出第一步。在高中時，我在幾個樂隊裡擔任鼓手。雖然我總想提高自己的技能，但是我卻從來沒有踏出完成這個目標的第一步。我也一直很想知道自己有沒有描畫風景的能力，然而–你猜對了–直到今天，我都還沒採取學習的第一步。
然而，另一方面，我也可以舉出一些自己已經採取的「第一步」。它們在我專業與個人的領域中，徹底改變了我的人生。讀大學時，我因為想學新聞而轉學。這造就了我近50年的職業生涯。我總是害怕公開演講，但我已經邁出了第一步，強迫自己必須在小組面前演講。雖然公開演講仍是我的軟肋，必要時我可以講得很好。
我結婚已經超過44年了，如果當年我沒有邁出邀我太太約會的第一步，不知道今天的我會是甚麼樣子？我們夫妻之前常常談到要一起去國外旅行。去年我們終於付諸實現，接受一些朋友的邀請，參加一趟難忘的義大利之旅。
穆迪聖經研究所所長馬克．約伯(Mark Jobe)博士在他的電台節目中談到了邁出第一步的重要性和難度。他指出許多人不願意採取關鍵第一步的理由，這裡有三個最常見的原因。我另外增加了一些可以應用的聖經經文：
第一、狀況不理想。 約伯用了一個希望開始戶外運動計劃的例子。有時候可能感覺太冷了，有時候又可能有點太熱了。我們幾乎無法遇到可以踏出第一步的完美狀況，所以最好的計劃就是盡快開始，然後繼續前進，一天一天來。聖經教導我們：「人的腳步為耶和華所定；人豈能明白自己的路呢？」（箴言20章24節）
第二、時間點似乎不太完美。我們大多數人都希望能夠在周圍的世界中發揮影響力，無論是參與社區活動，或是投入時間和精力幫助別人在個人和靈性上成長。沒有理由裹足不前，因為沒有比現在更好的開始時間了。「你那裏若有現成的，不可對鄰舍說：去吧，明天再來，我必給你。」（箴言3章28節）「要愛惜光陰，因為現今的世代邪惡。」（以弗所書5章16節）
第三、踏出信心的第一步可能會強迫你直接面對最大的恐懼。在某些情況下，恐懼會阻礙我們採取第一步。可能是對失敗的恐懼、對未知的恐懼，或對其他人如何反應的恐懼。這時信仰就是最大的關鍵：當我們感到極度焦慮時，無論是甚麼狀況，信靠主都能幫助我們踏出那一步。「你不要害怕，因為我與你同在；不要驚惶，因為我是你的 神。我必堅固你，我必幫助你；我必用我公義的右手扶持你。」（以賽亞書41章10節）
版權所有2019 非傳統商業網路(前身為純全資源中心)。節錄自和Rick Boxx的純全時刻，這本刊物主要是從基督徒的角度來探討職場上正直這個主題。如果希望知道更多關於這個事工或是想訂閱每日純全時刻，請上這個網站: www.unconventionalbusiness.org. Rick Boxx最新出版的書提供用五個關鍵的神的方法來建立企業
反省與問題討論
你能想到任何因為不願意或者太害怕採取第一步，至今未能完成的事嗎？ 你能想到任何一件你最初不願意做或嘗試，但是當你決定邁出第一步，就發現它改變了你的生活，讓你現在不禁懷疑自己當初究竟為什麼遲遲未邁步的事嗎？ 當狀況看起來不完美的時候，我們如何克服猶豫不決和對時機的疑慮？ 對上帝的信心–相信並依靠祂–能如何幫助我們擺脫恐懼，勇敢踏出第一步？我們又如何能夠跨出人生最重要的第一步：把你的生命交給耶穌基督，承認祂為你生命的主？你做到了嗎？
備註：如果你手上有聖經，希望閱讀更多和這個主題相關的信息，請參考下面的經文：
詩篇37篇4-5節
37:4 又要以耶和華為樂，他就將你心裏所求的賜給你。
37:5 當將你的事交託耶和華，並倚靠他，他就必成全。
箴言3章5-6節
3:5 你要專心仰賴耶和華，不可倚靠自己的聰明，
3:6 在你一切所行的事上都要認定他，他必指引你的路。
哥林多後書6章2節
6:2因為他說：「在悅納的時候，我應允了你；在拯救的日子，我搭救了你。」看哪，現在正是悅納的時候！現在正是拯救的日子；
歌羅西書4章5節
4:5 你們要愛惜光陰，用智慧與外人交往。
THAT TERRIFYING, TERRIFIC FIRST STEP
By Robert J. Tamasy
A journey of a thousand miles, according to the Chinese proverb, begins with a single step. In more contemporary terms, you cannot finish something until you decide to start. The problem for many people is, they never get started.
I can relate to this. There are some things I once dreamed of doing, even might have considered to be life goals, but I never accomplished them. Because I did not take that first single step. Even though I have been a professional writer, I have never written a novel – because I have yet to take that first step. In high school, I played drums in several bands, but always wanted to improve my skills. I never took that first step to do so. I have always wondered if I have the ability to paint landscapes. But – you are right – to date I have not taken the first step to learn how.
On the other hand, I can think of “first steps” I have taken, ones that have made all the difference in my journey, both professionally and personally. Early on, I transferred to a different university because I wanted to study journalism. This resulted in my career that has spanned nearly 50 years. I always felt intimidated by speaking in public, but took the first step to put myself into situations where I had to speak in front of groups. Public speaking still is my strength, but I can do it reasonably well when necessary.
After more than 44 years of marriage, I wonder where I would be today if I had not taken that first step to ask my wife out on a date. And we had often talked about taking a trip together to another country; last year we finally did that, accepting the invitation of some friends to join them on a memorable trip to Italy.
Dr. Mark Jobe, president of Moody Bible Institute, on his radio program spoke about the importance – and difficulty – of taking the first step. He pointed out many reasons for people being reluctant to take the all-important first step, but here are three of the most common. I have added some biblical passages that apply to each of these:
– Conditions are not ideal. Jobe used an example of desiring to start an outdoor exercise program. One day might feel too cold. The next day might be a bit too hot. Conditions are rarely perfect for taking the first step, so the best plan is simply to take it as soon as possible, then continue moving forward, one day at a time. The Scriptures urge us to, “A man”s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24).
– Timing might not seem perfect. Many of us desire to make a difference in the world around us, whether it means getting involved in community activities, or investing time and energy in helping another person grow personally and spiritually. There is no excuse for waiting; there is no better time to start than now. “Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you,” when you already have it with you” (Proverbs 3:28). “…redeeming the time, for the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).
– Stepping out in faith may force you to confront your greatest fears. In some cases, fear prevents us from taking that initial step. It could be fear of failure, fear of the unknown, or fear of how others might react. That is where faith fits into the equation: When we feel great anxiety, trusting in the Lord enables us to take that step anyway. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
© 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
What can you think of that you have never accomplished – at least to this point – because you have been unwilling, or too afraid, to take that first step? Can you think of something you were initially reluctant to do or to try, but once you determined to take the first step, discovered it was life-changing – and now you sometimes wonder why you delayed moving into action for so long? How can we overcome hesitation to step out when conditions do not seem to be the best, or you question whether the timing is right for getting started? In what ways can faith in God – trusting in and relying on Him – enable us to get past fears that may be causing us to procrastinate over that first step? What about taking the most important first step of all, committing your life to Jesus Christ and making Him the Lord of your life – have you done that yet?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this topic, consider the following passages: Psalm 37:4-5; Proverbs 3:5-6; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Colossians 4:5
