2020 12 08
作者 Article by: Billy Ng
近日我重溫羅馬書第五章的經文,使徒保羅在第三節教導我們:「在患難中也要歡歡喜喜的。」真的可以做到嗎?單是今年新冠肺炎蔓延全球, 導致我們的日常生活顛覆過來, 這種戰戰兢兢的生活, 我們仍然可以歡歡喜喜的過嗎?
今年年初我和太太計劃入圖則裝修房屋, 原本計劃3個月的裝修工程, 卻因為疫情導致市政府工程許可証延至七月才批出,一些工程的錯漏, 加上遇到兩位非常嚴格的驗屋師, 導致工程延期多時, 到現在我們還未能入住。一件原本以為簡單的工程, 遇上種種困難, 卻造成我們很大的心理壓力, 又怎能夠在患難中也要歡歡喜喜的呢?
早幾日,太太在家庭群組中, 祝賀外甥女生日快樂, 祝她每天都活得開心自在!她卻回應說:「實在有難度?!」太太再鼓勵她說:「這都是我們每日學習的功課。」也引用了上星期日Jenny主教講道中, 提醒我們:「昨日已過去、明天還未來、學習活在當下!」
是真的!已發生的事我們無法改變; 明天將要出現的事, 我們並不知曉; 我們只好做好今天的事。回想若不是遇上兩位嚴格的驗屋師, 我們未必能建造一間既安全、又舒適的家;裝修工人亦不會加倍小心和認真, 減少出錯。使徒保羅提醒我們,在遇上患難逆境的時候, 我們應該選擇「歡歡喜喜的」面對,「因為所賜給我們的聖靈將神的愛澆灌在我們的心裏。」(羅馬書5:5)
Love in Pandemic #95
Recently I read Romans 5 again. Paul the Apostle taught us in verse 3: "We also glory in our sufferings." Is it really possible? Just this year, the pandemic around the world has caused our daily lives to be overturned. Are we actually able to ‘live in glory’ with this kind of trembling life?
At the beginning of this year, my wife and I planned to renovate our house. Originally, we thought it would be a three-month project. Due to the pandemic, the issuance of the city permit was delayed to July. In addition, few project mistakes and two strict home inspectors caused the project to be even further delayed. As of now, we still have not been able to move in yet. A project that was supposed to be quite simple has encountered all kinds of difficulties, causing a lot of stress and mental strain on us. How can we glorify in our sufferings?
A few days ago, my wife wished my niece a happy birthday in our family group chat, wishing her a “happy life every day!” She responded, "It’s not easy?!" My wife encouraged her and said, "This is the lesson we need to learn every day." She also quoted the preaching of Bishop Jenny last Sunday, reminding us: "Yesterday is finished, tomorrow may never come.” We should learn to embrace today!
It is true! We cannot change what has happened; we don’t know what will happen tomorrow; we have to work on it today. Recall that if we hadn't met the two strict home inspectors, we may not have built a safe and comfortable home; the contractor may, as a result, be less careful and serious with our renovation.
Paul the Apostle reminds us that in times of adversity, we should choose to face it "with glory", “Because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." (Romans 5:5)