你是否曾经太过于专注工作,以至于回家后仍然“人在心不在”?你是否被思虑充满,以至于很难注意到周围丰富的祝福?
你是否被驱使着去达到下一个薪酬等级,买一辆功能齐全的新车,或抢到一部刚刚问世的智能手机?又或者是一艘漂亮的新船,湖边房产,甚至是一台神奇的新电动工具?如果真有这样的事情在驱使你,那么就应该是时候停下来,做个深呼吸,来问问神自己是否在做对的事了。
耶稣在这个比喻中提及的享乐和消遣,并不一定是罪恶的,来扼杀我们在基督徒生命的成熟。
诚实地面对自己和主,享受大祝福并没有错,为自己的事业设定目标,或写个购物清单并没有错,然而,如果让任何事物而不是主成为你的动力,这就是大错了。
如果我们被生活中的烦恼思虑、潮流,好处、收益或这些东西带来的快乐所驱使和影响,那么我们不会在神为我们预备的真正美好生命中变得成熟。相反,我们会让那些事情占据我们的生命,挤住神想要我们享受的永远丰盛完满的生命。
主耶稣,你的比喻常常给我们敲响警钟。求你每天引领我们的思想和行为,好让我们活出以你话语为中心的、最美好的生命。阿们。
路加福音 8:4-15
4当许多人聚集,又有人从各城里出来见耶稣的时候,耶稣就用比喻说:
5“有一个撒种的出去撒种。撒的时候,有落在路旁的,被人践踏,天上的飞鸟又来吃尽了。
6有落在磐石上的,一出来就枯干了,因为得不着滋润。
7有落在荆棘里的,荆棘一同生长,把它挤住了。
8又有落在好土里的,生长起来,结实百倍。”耶稣说了这些话,就大声说:“有耳可听的,就应当听!”
9门徒问耶稣说:“这比喻是什么意思呢?”
10他说:“神国的奥秘只叫你们知道,至于别人,就用比喻,叫他们‘看也看不见,听也听不明’。
11这比喻乃是这样:种子就是神的道。
12那些在路旁的,就是人听了道,随后魔鬼来,从他们心里把道夺去,恐怕他们信了得救。
13那些在磐石上的,就是人听道,欢喜领受,但心中没有根,不过暂时相信,及至遇见试炼就退后了。
14那落在荆棘里的,就是人听了道,走开以后,被今生的思虑、钱财、宴乐挤住了,便结不出成熟的子粒来。
15那落在好土里的,就是人听了道,持守在诚实善良的心里,并且忍耐着结实。
“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” — Luke 8:14
Have you ever been so wrapped up in your work that even when you’re at home, you’re not really “all there”? Have you ever been so consumed by worry that you hardly notice the rich blessings around you?
Have you been driven to reach that next pay grade, get that new car with all the bells and whistles, or scoop up that new smartphone that no one else has yet? Or how about that slick new boat, that lakeside property, or even that amazing new power tool? If something like that is driving you, it’s time to step back, take a deep breath, and ask God if you are doing the right thing.
The pleasures and distractions Jesus is talking about in this parable don’t have to be sinful to choke our maturity in the Christian life.
Be honest with yourself and the Lord. It’s not wrong to enjoy great blessings, to set goals for building a business, or to have a bucket list, but it would be a huge mistake to let anything but the Lord be your motivator.
If we are distracted or driven by life’s troubles and worries, or by trends, gadgets, or gains and the pleasures they seem to offer, we won’t grow mature in the truly good life God intends for us. Instead, we will let those things take over in our lives, choking out the rich and full life God wants us to enjoy forever.
Your parables, Lord Jesus, often give us a wake-up call. Guide our thoughts and actions each day, that we may live the best life possible, centered on your Word for living. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳