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你不需要一手包办
By: Rick Foster
美国中西部和世界上其他地区的农耕机开始运作了，约翰迪尔、福特、新荷兰、梅西弗耕森各种厂牌的耕耘机都出笼了。 农夫在每年固定的时候耕种，他们会种玉米、小麦、黄豆和棉花，然后依据天气，灌溉系统会灌溉这些农地。
灌溉之后，农夫要做什么?除了施肥和喷洒除虫剂之外，他的工作就只是在旁边看和等！的确农夫的管理能力是必要的，但是他也必须等待种子发芽和生长。所以无论他有多么期待，农夫也没有能力强迫农作物生长。
在新约圣经中，使徒保罗提到属灵生命的成长:“我栽种了，亚波罗浇灌了，惟有 神叫他生长。”(哥林多前书3章6节)
对我们这些生活在服务至上的经济体系里的人，我们倾向于“让事情发生”，没有人认真思考过等待和观察这两件事。在职场上也是只表扬有业绩的人。我们也许同意使徒保罗的逻辑，但是我们已经离农业社会太远了，等待和观察已经变成少见和落伍的字眼了。
当我们疯狂地在现代的商业经济体系奔跑、追求自己个人的事业成功或是服务他人时，或许我们该用圣经里的智慧和谦卑来审视一下我们能做和不能做的事。下面我们来看使徒保罗给我们睿智的建议:
- 神不需要我们－“….可见栽种的，算不得什么，浇灌的，也算不得什么；只在那叫他生长的 神。”(哥林多前书3章7节)
- 但是神选择使用我们，也喜悦如此行－“亚波罗算什么？保罗算什么？无非是执事…”(哥林多前书3章5节)
- 神给我们机会去服事祂和其他人，来完成祂神圣的使命－“….照主所赐给他们各人的，引导你们相信。”(哥林多前书3章5节)
常常因为个人的不安全感或骄傲，我们说:“这是我做的！”希望得到荣耀和认同。然而事实上，让这样的虚荣和掌控远离我们是多么地重要！我们要谦卑地接受自己所做的仅仅是神已经做成一切的一部分。
你 还记得2012超级杯的广告里，有一个小男孩穿着星际大战里黑武士的衣服，在房子里跑，试着要用念力遥控烘干机、狗和娃娃吗?但是不管他再怎么努力或是他 的意志里多么坚强，并没有发生任何事。后来他向车道上爸爸的车子举起手时，车子的引擎突然点燃了。其实是因为站在厨房里的爸爸拿遥控器去发动车子的引擎。
在电视广告里爸爸出面干预了，而神，我们在天上的父用更大、更深远、更个人化和缜密的方式让事情发生。因为耶稣在圣经里很清楚地告诉门徒们：“因为离了我，你们就不能做什么。”(约翰福音15章5节) 使徒保罗也说:“我靠着那加给我力量的，凡事都能做。”(腓立比书4章13节)
罗勃．符思特创办了美国柯罗拉多州靠近柯罗拉多州泉的“遗失谷牧场”。他是一位商人， 50多年来他也每周撰写有关商业的默想文章，现在他居住在加州。
省思 / 讨论题目
- 今天周一吗哪所提到农耕比喻中，农夫即使尽了全力也要等待的是哪个部分?对二十一世纪的职场来说，你认为这个比喻跟我们有相关吗?
- 你是否常常觉得这个工作必须仰赖你、如果你不一手包办就不行?描述一下当你这么想的感觉。
- 你觉得为什么对某些人来说，承认没有办法一手包办是一件很困难的事情?
- 当你已经尽了力，但事情依然非常困难棘手，你是否容易降服在神的面前，相信神会成就这件事?在你每天的工作中，这是不是你会做的事?解释一下你的答案。
注：若你有圣经且想要看有关此主题的其他经文，请看：以赛亚书 41章10节;耶利米书 33章3节; 哥林多后书 12章9-10节; 腓立比书 4章19节
YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO ALL THE WORK
By Rick Foster
Tractors all over the midwestern United States and in agricultural areas around the world are roaring to life, starting their annual pilgrimage into the fields. John Deeres, Fords, New Hollands and Massey Fergusons will sow corn, wheat, soybean, and cottonseed and seeds for other crops. Then, depending on the weather, irrigation systems will hydrate those fields.
What does the farmer do next? Other than an application of fertilizer or insecticide, his job is simply to watch and wait! Something has to occur that is beyond the farmer's ability to control or direct. The seed must germinate and begin to grow. The farmer, as much as he would like to, cannot force the growth.
In the New Testament of the Bible, the apostle Paul referred to this reality in spiritual terms when he stated, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth!" (1 Corinthians 3:6).
For those of us living predominantly in service-oriented economies where we have to "make it happen," no one thinks seriously about waiting and watching. The marketplace cheers the one who gets results. We are so far removed from the agricultural economy of our forefathers that even though we might agree with Paul's logic, the impact of his words appears quaint and hopelessly out-of-date.
As we scurry about frantically, whether in the modern-day business and professional world, in our personal pursuits, or seeking to serve others, perhaps it is time for some core biblical truth to bring sanity and a sense of humility to our perspective about what we can do – and what we cannot. Paul’s comments later in the same passage offer enlightenment:
- God does not need us. "Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything…" (1 Corinthians 3:7).
- God, however, chooses to use us and is pleased to do so. "What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants…" (1 Corinthians 3:5).
- God gives opportunities to us to be of service to Him and others, and to participate in His divine purposes. "…as the Lord has assigned to each his task" (1 Corinthians 3:5).
Often, out of our insecurity or pride, we want to take the credit, to receive recognition: "I did this!” Yet how vital it is to let these truths filter deep within us so we release this need to take credit, or feel like we have to be in control. Instead, we can humbly accept our given roles in simply contributing to what God is doing in the world around us.
Do you remember the Super Bowl commercial in which the little boy runs around the house wearing a Darth Vader costume attempting to use "the Force"? Despite his best efforts and determination, nothing happens with the dryer, the dog or the doll. Then he raises his arms at his father’s car in the driveway. The lights blink and the engine starts – all to the amazement of the boy, and to the playfulness of the dad who was watching in the kitchen, starting the car with a wireless push button ignition.
In the TV commercial, the father intervened. In a far greater, more profound way, God our heavenly Father is intimately and intricately involved to make all things happen. The Bible makes this clear. Jesus told His followers, " apart from me, you can accomplish nothing" (John 15:5). Later, the apostle Paul declared, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Taken and adapted from The Challenge, written and published by Robert D. and Rick Foster. Permission to reproduce with proper credit is freely given and encouraged. For questions or comments, write: 29555 Goose Creek Rd, Sedalia, CO 80135, U.S.A., or fax (303) 647-2315.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
- What can we learn from the agricultural analogy used in this “Monday Manna,” in which farmers do all they can and know to do, but ultimately must then wait on the outcome? Is this example relevant for the 21st century workplace? Why or why not?
- Are there times at work when you feel as if it all depends on you, that if you cannot do everything, it will not get done? Describe what that feeling is like for you.
- Why do you think it is hard for some people to admit that they cannot do it all, that the outcome of a project or endeavor does not rest squarely on their shoulders?
- How easy is it for you to yield to God’s control in difficult situations, to rest in the assurance that if you have done all that you can, He will accomplish the rest? Is that even a consideration for you during your typical workday? Explain your answer.
If you would like to consider other Bible passages that relate to this topic, look up the following: Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 33:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 4:19
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