要如何真正認識某個人？

在職場中，我們每天都與許多人打交道，不論是為了一個企劃組成團隊、指派或接受詳細的任務、請求他們的回饋或支持。我們整天都與別人互傳簡訊和電子郵件。我們可能知道有關他們的特定資訊──他們的工作經驗、技能、他們如何穿著、他們開哪種車、個人的興趣。但這就表示我們真正認識他們了嗎？

我們的世界鼓勵膚淺的人際關係：包括語音信箱留言、手機簡訊、電子郵件等溝通就像乒乓球一來一往，漫不經心的問候。即使當我們一起合作，成功地完成了一個企劃，我們可能只根據團隊成員把工作做好的角色認識他們。

科技的進步在許多方面加速了生產力、使生產更有效率，但這種「高科技、低接觸」的環境已傷害了職場人士之間的友愛忠誠和互動。我們無法親密地認識每個人，而且也不需要認識，但若我們努力去建立有意義、深入的人際關係，這會強化我們的工作經驗。

有趣的是，構成堅強關係的重要成份通常是患難。當一切都順利時，任何人都能成為「朋友」，但在困苦和艱難時，這緊迫的時刻就顯示出一個人真實的內在──善或惡。在困難的時刻彼此支持的人，通常會深化並強化彼此的連結。如傳道書4章12節說：「有人攻勝孤身一人，若有二人便能敵擋他；三股合成的繩子不容易折斷。」

在靈性上也是如此。我們可以聲稱「認識上帝」。但若「認識」祂只限於相信祂會以我們想要的方式回應我們的禱告，那就不是真正地認識上帝。我的一位朋友常說：「上帝是良善的──無時無刻。」那包括當事情沒有依照我們想要的方式進行時。以下是聖經對認識上帝的一些想法：

曉得上帝。只要粗略地看一下我們四周的世界，都提供了許多有關上帝的資訊，所以很容易「曉得上帝」：「自從造天地以來，　神的永能和　神性是明明可知的，雖是眼不能見，但藉著所造之物就可以曉得，叫人無可推諉」（羅馬書1章20節）。

致力於認識上帝。雖然我們可以觀察有關上帝的事，但真正認識祂需要決心和努力。使徒保羅把這事作為他生命的目的：「我已經決定要認識祂──使我漸漸地更深刻且更親密地熟識祂，更強烈且更清楚地了解祂的奇妙」（腓立比書3章10節，擴充版）。

認識並信靠上帝。認識上帝意味著信靠祂比我們更了解什麼是我們所需要的，什麼是對我們最好的：「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）。

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 。

In the workplace, we deal with many people on a regular basis, whether teaming up on a project, giving or receiving detailed assignments, soliciting their feedback or assistance. We exchange texts and emails with individuals throughout the day. We might know specific information about them – their work history, skills sets, how they dress, what kind of car they drive, personal interests. But does that mean we truly know them?

Our world encourages superficial relationships: Communication consists of voice mail, texting, emails exchanged like ping-pong balls, casual greetings. Even when we work together to successfully complete a project, we might know other team members only according to their roles in getting the work done.

Technological advancements in many ways have speeded up productivity, making it more efficient, but this “high-tech, low-touch” environment has taken a toll on workplace camaraderie and interaction. We cannot know everyone intimately, and do not need to, but conscious, intentional effort can reward us with meaningful, in-depth relationships that can enhance our work experience.

Interestingly, often a key ingredient for a strong relationship is adversity. Anyone can be a “friend” when all is going well, but during times of hardship and struggle, the stress of the moment tends to reveal what a person is truly like on the inside – good or bad. Supporting one another during difficult times often deepens and strengthens personal bonds. As Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.“

The same is true in a spiritual sense. We can claim to “know God.” But if knowing Him is limited to believing He will always answer our prayers in the way we want them to be answered, that is not what it means to truly know God. As a friend of mine often says, “God is good – all the time.” That includes times when things do not go the way we want. Here are some thoughts the Bible has about knowing God:

Knowing about God. Even a cursory glance at the world around us provides abundant information about God, so it is easy to know “about God”: “For since the creation of the world God”s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

Commitment to knowing God. While we can observe much about God, truly knowing Him demands resolve and commitment. The apostle Paul defined it as his life”s purpose: “(For my determined purpose is) that I may know Him – that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding (the wonders of His Person) more strongly and more clearly” (Philippians 3:10, Amplified).

Knowing – and trusting – God. Knowing God means trusting He knows better what we need and what is best for us than we do: “”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).

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.