兩種成功的觀點──TWO PERSPECTIVES ON SUCCESS
For English version, please refer to the latter part of this page
你渴望成為世界上的成功人士嗎？有許多可行的方法能達到這個目標，其中一個最常被使用且正確的策略，就是專注於領導力。換句話說，發掘如何能使其他人按照你所想的去做。他們執行大部分的工作，而你則獲得大部分的成果。
然而，如果你選擇成為一位又敬虔又成功的人呢？你要如何辦到？那麼，你就應該把重點放在「追隨力」 上面－學習如何成為更好的僕人。與其利用他人來實現自我的目的和意義，不如努力地為他人服事，幫助他們實現個人的目的和意義。
如果你走進任何書店或圖書館，或搜尋線上購書網站，都可以找到無數關於不同觀點的領導力書籍。這同樣適用於研討會、會議和退修會活動－我們似乎有眾多選擇，提供了如何成為一位高效領袖所需的觀點。
然而，有一本書展現並教導，做一個跟隨者直接和永恆的價值－成為僕人，那就是聖經。在聖經中，我們可以看到許多人的故事，他們發現自己最大的影響，也就是我們今天所說的「有影響力的人」，是透過無私地為他人服事所產生的。
我們再也找不到比耶穌基督更好的例子了。祂宣告：「因為人子來，並不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人，並且要捨命作多人的贖價。」(馬可福音10章45節) 祂是如何做到的呢？祂行了身體得醫治，餵飽眾人和幾次使人復活的神蹟，祂在世界的一生是給予的典範，而非接受。
但是，耶穌最偉大的行動是甘願走上十字架受死，為人的罪付上贖價。「惟有基督在我們還作罪人的時候為我們死，神的愛就在此向我們顯明了。」(羅馬書5章8節) 從人的角度來看，耶穌的 「最終犧牲」似乎是失敗的，但從永恆的角度來看，這卻是最成功的時刻。
作為商業和專業人士，我們大多數人都希望了解成功的密碼。我們認為如果能理解所有必要的投入，那麼我們就能掌控結果與產出。有時確實有效，但我們成功或失敗的結果，其實往往是由我們所無法掌控的因素所造成的。
問題在於我們是有限的，受到時間和空間的限制；而上帝是無限的、永恆的。祂的道路和旨意遠遠超越我們的。「耶和華說：我的意念非同你們的意念；我的道路非同你們的道路。」(以賽亞書55章8節)正因如此，我們對祂的信心和信任－我們順服祂的旨意和計畫 – 是重要且奧秘的因素，是我們無法用任何公式可以計算的。
你追求什麼樣的成功呢？我們把時間花在哪裡，把我們的注意力集中在哪裡，這些都顯明我們真正渴望的是什麼。我們每一個人都必須做出決定。就在今天，還有明天，甚至後天。我們是否該只追求世界的成功？「人就是賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有什麼益處呢？」(馬可福音8章36節) 一旦我們下定決心後，就必須面對永恆的後果。成熟的標記是願意為長遠的利益，而推遲即時的滿足。
Ken Korkow居住在美國內布拉斯加州的奧馬哈市，他擔任該地的CBMC區域總監。本篇文章改編自他的「生活傳真｣專欄。經許可使用。
挑戰思考
在接下來的一週裡，想想你在本次週一嗎哪中閱讀和討論的內容。你正在追求什麼樣的成功呢?你是否專注於正確的事情？如果你是領導者，你是在領導他人，讓他們幫助你實現你的目標，還是在尋求服事他們，實現他們的目的和意義呢？找一位值得信賴的朋友，幫助你解決這些重要的問題。
備註：如果你有聖經，想閱讀更多相關的內容，請參考以下的經文：
詩篇33篇11節
33:11 耶和華的籌算永遠立定；他心中的思念萬代常存。
馬太福音6章24節、33-34節
6:24「一個人不能事奉兩個主；不是惡這個，愛那個，就是重這個，輕那個。你們不能又事奉神，又事奉瑪門（瑪門：財利的意思）。」
6:33你們要先求他的國和他的義，這些東西都要加給你們了。
6:34所以，不要為明天憂慮，因為明天自有明天的憂慮；一天的難處一天當就夠了。」
馬太福音16章25-27節
16:25因為，凡要救自己生命（生命：譯靈魂；下同）的，必喪掉生命；凡為我喪掉生命的，必得著生命。
16:26人若賺得全世界，賠上自己的生命，有什麼益處呢？人還能拿什麼換生命呢？
16:27人子要在他父的榮耀裡，同著眾使者降臨；那時候，他要照各人的行為報應各人。
以弗所書5章15-16節
5:15你們要謹慎行事，不要像愚昧人，當像智慧人。
5:16要愛惜光陰，因為現今的世代邪惡。
歌羅西書3章17節、23-24節
3:17 無論做什麼，或說話或行事，都要奉主耶穌的名，藉著他感謝父神。
3:23無論做什麼，都要從心裡做，像是給主做的，不是給人做的，
3:24因你們知道從主那裡必得著基業為賞賜；你們所事奉的乃是主基督。
反省與問題討論
- 你如何定義「成功」？
- 根據現在的生活方式，和如何追求你的工作和事業，顯示了你對成功的觀點是什麼呢？
- 你認為一個人可以同時積極追求屬世定義的成功和敬虔的成功嗎？請解釋你的答案。
- 當你想到上帝的意念不是我們的意念，我們的道路不是祂的道路時，你會有什麼感覺？這對你來說是鼓勵還是困擾？你是否曾經希望上帝的意念和道路與你的是一致的呢？請解釋你的答案。
TWO PERSPECTIVES ON SUCCESS
By Ken Korkow
Do you desire to become a worldly success? There are a number of possible approaches to achieving this goal, but one of the most tried and true strategies is to focus on leadership. In other words, discover how to get other people to do what you want. They perform much of the work, while you receive much of the credit.
However, what if you choose instead to become a godly success? How do you accomplish that? Then you would want to focus on ‘followship’ – learning how to become a better servant. Instead of using people to achieve your goals and objectives, you strive to serve people, helping them to accomplish their own goals and objectives.
If you go into any bookstore or library, or search an online retail site, you can find countless books that offer differing views on leadership. The same applies to seminars, conferences, and retreats – we have a seemingly endless array of choices that offer many perspectives on what it takes to become an effective leader of people.
There is one book, however, that demonstrates and teaches the immediate and eternal value of being a follower-servant. It is called the Bible. In it we find many accounts of people who discovered that their greatest impact – what today we would refer to as “an influencer” – was by selflessly serving others.
We can find no better example than Jesus Christ, who declared, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). How did He do this? He performed miracles of physical healing, feeding multitudes, and even bringing people back to life on several occasions. His earthly life was exemplified by acts of giving, not receiving.
But Jesus’ greatest act of all was willingly going to the cross to die and pay the penalty for the sins of humankind. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). From a human perspective, Jesus’ ‘ultimate sacrifice’ seemed like failure, but in terms of eternity it was the most successful moment of all time.
As business and professional people, most of us want to understand the formula for success. We think that if we can understand all the necessary inputs, then we can control the output. Sometimes this works, but often our success or failure is a result of factors operating outside of our control.
The problem is we are finite, limited by time and space; God is infinite and eternal. His ways and purposes are far beyond our own. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8). Because of this, placing our faith and trust in Him – our submission to His will and plans – are essential but mysterious elements we cannot calculate by any of our formulas.
What kind of success do you seek? What we really desire is evidenced by where we spend our time, what commands our focus. We must each decide. Today. And tomorrow. And the next day. Should we pursue worldly success? Jesus said, “For what does it profit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). Once we decide, we must live with the eternal consequences. A mark of maturity is the willingness to defer immediate gratification for long-term gain.
Ken Korkow lives in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A., where he serves as an area director for CBMC. This is adapted from his “Fax of Life” column. Used with permission.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
- How would you define “success”?
- Based on how you are living your life right now, how you are pursuing your work and career, what does that say about your perspective on success?
- Do you think a person can actively pursue success based on the world’s definition and godly success at the same time? Why or why not?
- When you think about God’s thoughts not being our thoughts, and our ways not being His ways, how does that make you feel? Is it encouraging or troubling for you? Are there ever any times when you would like God’s thoughts and ways to conform with your own? Explain your answer.
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:
Psalm 33:11; Matthew 6:24,33-34, 16:25-27; Ephesians 5:15-16; Colossians 3:17,23-24
Challenge for This Week
Over the coming week, think about what you have read and discussed in this Monday Manna. What kind of success are you pursuing – are you focusing on the right things? If you are a leader, are you leading people so they can help you accomplish your purposes, or are you seeking to serve them in achieving their goals and objectives? Find a trusted friend who can help you work through these important questions.
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