Starting A New Phase of Life
Author: Bro Jed Lim
As I graduate from university and start working life, I give thanks to God for His providence, His protection, and His unmerited favor throughout my schooling years. I also hope to be used by God as His “salt and light” to fulfill His purposes wherever I am placed next. A few verses stood out to me as I sought God’s guidance about the path ahead. I hope that these verses can also edify those who are seeking to navigate their work environment as a believer in Christ.
“To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.””
It is a difficult task to do good to those that scheme against you. However, it is a necessary one for Christians, who are not of the world. Even when we were sinners, Christ died for us. Following Jesus’ example, we should strive to love our enemies through the strength of the Holy Spirit. Of course, this is way easier said than done. I can only pray that God will give us the wisdom to truly love our enemies, without being naïve or gullible about the sinful nature of the world around us.
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Even in the most difficult of times, we can rely on God for strength. Our ultimate source of joy and satisfaction should come from Him alone. This does not mean that we cannot find joy in everyday blessings like family and friends, or achievement at work. However, God should be our ultimate source of joy. Fixing our eyes on Him frees us by removing the bondages that we have to the various idols in our lives. We are liberated when we seek to please our maker and not that which was made.
“… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”
In this verse, Joshua declared his choice to serve the Lord with the firm decisiveness of a leader. In the face of unfaithfulness in the Israelite community, he chose to stand his ground and committed his household wholeheartedly to the Lord. Likewise, as we work among people who may share very different values from us, may we hold true to our Christ-centered convictions in how we conduct and lead our lives. May the fear of the Lord triumph over the desires of the flesh, or the desire to follow the feet that rush into sin.
Loving your enemies, finding the ultimate joy in Christ, and standing firm in our faith will be challenging, especially with the stressors of work and life. But “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. With this, I commit the road ahead into His hands.
刚从大学毕业，步入社会工作的我，感谢神对我在念书时的眷顾，保护及无偿的恩惠。我也希望自己能够被神使用，成为祂的‘盐和光’，不论神差派我到哪里，我都能实现祂的目的。在我为前途寻求神的引导时，有几段经文让我印象十分深刻。我也希望这几段经文能够激励一些在职场上寻求方向的基督徒。
“所以，“你的仇敌若饿了，就给他吃；若渴了，就给他喝。因为你这样行，就是把炭火堆在他的头上.””
要对一些陷害自己的人保持善意是一件难事。但是，对于不属于这世界的基督徒而言，这是必须做到的。因为当我们仍是罪人的时候，耶稣就为我们被钉死在十字架上。我们应当效法耶稣，借着圣灵所给予我们的力量来爱我们的仇敌。当然，这说的比做的容易。我只能祈求神赋予我们智慧，在不轻信有着罪恶本质的世界，或对它存有天真的想法的状态下， 真正地爱我们的仇敌。
“我知道怎样处卑贱，也知道怎样处丰富，或饱足或饥饿，或有余或缺乏，随事随在，我都得了秘诀。我靠着那加给我力量的，凡事都能做.”
即使在最困难的时候，我们都可以依靠神所赐于的力量。我们喜乐及满足的最终来源应当是神。 这不代表我们不能在家人及朋友圈里，或是工作上得到快乐，但是神，应当是我们喜乐的终极泉源。当我们注视着神，就能摆脱那些在我们生命里，捆绑着我们的偶像。当我们寻求取悦我们的创造主，而不是那些被造物时，我们便能获得真自由。
“至于我和我家，我们必定侍奉耶和华.”
在这段经文里，约书亚以一名领袖的坚定果断，宣告自己选择了侍奉神。面对众多不忠于神的以色列人民，约书亚仍旧选择站稳立场，决意自己与整个家庭都会全心全意地侍奉神。同样的，在我们与拥有不同价值观的人共事时，让我们继续秉持以基督为中心的信念来行事及过好自己的生活。愿我们对主的敬畏，胜过肉体上的欲望，或是跟随那急于行恶的脚步的欲望。
爱你的仇敌，以基督为喜乐的终极泉源，及在信仰上站稳脚步确实是不容易，尤其在面对生活及工作的种种压力的时候。但是，“我靠着那加给我力量的，凡事都能做。”以此，我将眼前的路交托到祂手中。