多年前我读了一本名叫《你好,上帝!》的书,这本令人称奇的书是Frank Foglio的著作。它的封底载有以下的描述:“Foglio妈妈、她那暴躁的丈夫、和十个吵闹的孩子是贫穷人家。他们实在非常贫穷,甚至其他穷人也认为他们是贫穷的。有一天,主突然进入他们的生命中,祂差使另一个和他们一样贫穷、一样人丁旺盛和吵闹的意大利裔美国家庭闯进他们的家,并且在短暂相处中把福音传给他们。”这本书述说Foglio妈妈怎样开始明白和倚靠她天上的父亲的丰盛。这个有力的见证让我们看到,当我们开始祷告把焦虑交给神时,会发生什么事。
有些时候,焦虑或恐惧会令我们瘫痪无力;尽管我们明知会有这种可能性,但结果我们仍然不出意外地身陷其中。我喜欢听身在狱中的保罗对我们的提醒,他提醒我们,要专心仰望主和“常常喜乐。”他提醒我们,与神交谈是重要的。他提醒我们,当我们学习倚靠神、不再注目在我们的焦虑上时,我们便是在人前见证神了。他更提醒我们,要自己分辨什么是真的:神总会供应我们的需要。
当我们改变自己的想法时,我们便记得,藉着耶稣我们可以随时来到父面前,祂垂听我们一切的祈求和恩赐我们一切所需的,我们便更多承受祂所赐的“出人意外”的平安。
主啊,我们欢喜快乐,因为你时常与我们同在。又感谢你赐我们平安和一切的丰盛。阿们。
腓立比书 4:4-9
4你们要靠主常常喜乐,我再说,你们要喜乐!
5当叫众人知道你们谦让的心。主已经近了。
6应当一无挂虑,只要凡事藉着祷告、祈求和感谢,将你们所要的告诉神。
7神所赐出人意外的平安,必在基督耶稣里保守你们的心怀意念。
8弟兄们,我还有未尽的话,凡是真实的、可敬的、公义的、清洁的、可爱的、有美名的,若有什么德行,若有什么称赞,这些事你们都要思念。
9你们在我身上所学习的、所领受的、所听见的、所看见的,这些事你们都要去行,赐平安的神就必与你们同在。
"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice." - Philippians 4:9
Many years ago I read an incredible book called Hey God by Frank Foglio. The back cover gives this description: "Mama Foglio, her cantankerous husband, and ten rambunctious kids were poor. In fact, they were so poor that the poor people called them poor. Then one day the Lord burst into their lives, in the form of another, equally poor, equally large and tumultuous Italian–American family that stormed into their home and evangelized them mano a mano." The book shows how Mama Foglio began to understand the riches of her spiritual Father and to rely on them. It is a powerful witness of what happens when we hand our anxiety over to God and begin to pray.
There are times when anxiety or fear can be paralyzing, and even though we know that to be true, we still go down that path. I love it that Paul, from a prison cell, reminds us to stay focused on the Lord and "rejoice always." He reminds us that conversation with God is important. He reminds us that we are a witness to others when we learn to lean on God rather than our anxieties. He also reminds us to remind ourselves of what is true: God's provision is always ours.
As we change our thinking, we remember that through Jesus we have full access to the Father, who hears all our requests and gives us all that we need. And we inherit his peace, which "transcends all understanding."
Lord, we rejoice that you are always with us. Thank you for peace and for all the riches you give us. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳