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校牧室敬啟

“God works in mysterious ways.”
“上帝以奇妙可畏的方式動工。”
The phrase has become a cliché, and one used more often as joke and sarcasm then as sober analysis. But as with many clichés, there is truth to it.
這句話已成為陳腔濫調，人們經常以幽默或諷刺的方式詮釋，甚至多過於理性清晰地分析，但與許多老生常談一樣，它是蘊含真理的。
Biblically, we see stories like Gideon – the smallest of his family sent to lead a meager group of troops against a nation. Or Moses, whom God makes leader of the Israelites not when part of Pharaoh’s household in his prime- the son of a king – but after decades of being a shepherd in the wilderness.
翻開聖經，我們看到基甸的故事——他是家中最年輕的成員，卻被上帝指派去領導一個勢單力薄的軍隊，來對抗當時的強權。又或者摩西的故事，上帝揀選他為以色列人的領袖的時機，並不是在他身為法老兒子的鼎盛時期——而是在他於曠野牧羊幾十年後。
Not the leaders, but fishermen. Not the religious exemplars, but the tax collector. And when God did choose a Pharisee it was the one you would least expect – Paul, deformed, stuttering, and a murderer of Christians.
上帝揀選的不是領袖，而是漁夫；不是祭司，而是稅吏。而當上帝揀選了一個法利賽人(宗教領袖）時，卻是你最意想不到的人——保羅，佝僂、口吃、迫害基督徒的兇手。
We tend to look to the most likely places because we believe God thinks or acts like we do.
What is most efficient?
What is most effective?
Who is most skilled?
我們傾向在最有可能的地方尋找，因為我們相信上帝的想法或行為與我們一樣。
什麼最有效率？
什麼最有果效？
誰最有才能？
We look to business models, to big resources, to CEOs, to presidents, to chairpersons, and councilmembers. And we are surprised that the Spirit isn’t moving there.
I do this too. I do this often. I look for students with charisma and energy thinking they can be the next leaders and find that the ones truly being moved by the Spirit are often timid and unassuming, but they are thoroughly convinced of the Gospel’s power and completely unafraid to say it.
我們著眼於商業模式、大型資源、首席執行長、總裁、主席和議員，我們很詫異聖靈並沒有在那裡動工。
我也陷入這樣的模式，我下意識地經常這樣做。我定睛在富有魅力和活力的學生，認為他們可以成為下一位領導者，卻發現真正被聖靈感動的人往往低調、謙遜，但他們完全相信福音的大能，並且毫無畏懼地說出來。
And this should be encouraging.
Yes, we sometimes get things wrong by looking to methods and looking for people in the wrong places.
But, this means there is nothing keeping you or me from being used by God. If God is doing the work, His power is in it. And no matter who you are, you can take part in it. You might not be Gideon or Paul, but your impact may mean just as much in the life of your neighbor.
這應該是鼓勵人心的。
是的，我們有時會犯下錯誤，因為執著於方法或在錯誤的地方嘗試尋找人選。
但是，這也同時意味著沒有什麼可以阻止你或我被上帝使用。如果上帝正在動工，祂的能力就在當中，無論你是誰，都可以參與在其中。你或許不是基甸或保羅，但你所產生的影響，對於你週遭人們的生命而言，有著同樣重要的價值。