2011年9月26日
「與眾同樂」
“我們把所看見所聽見的向你們宣揚，使你們也可以和我們心靈相通。我們是與父和祂的兒子耶穌基督心靈相通的。我們寫這些事，是要使我們的喜樂充足。”
約翰一書1章3-4節
「獨處勝於與人為伴。」
我同意。每個人都會想有「獨處」的時候；而不同的人對「獨處」都有不同的定義，有人在他或她「獨處」時不會感到寂寞。每個人都有不同形式的人際關係，有些人喜歡總有人伴隨在身邊，或有人可以傾訴，或有人可共聚一起，幾乎時刻都需要同伴。
有些人則較喜歡獨處 — 這不是指他不喜歡別人，只是他們覺得要與人保持對話或結伴總有點難度，從而對他/她自己產生壓力。
有些人寧願與一位好友結伴，而這友誼不用經常保持對話，只需「走在一起」便能覓得所需的舒適感覺。
我們每個人都有不同的方式來維繫（或不維繫）關係 — 沒有一種方式比較健康或不健康，對我合適的方式，對你就可能不是。
但有一件事是確定的：我們沒有一個人是真的孤單一人，一個也沒有；因耶穌基督是我們恆久的伴侶、朋友和真正的安慰者。不論我們的其他關係如何，沒有其他人像基督一樣，在每一天每一刻裡，能與我們的心靈團契，並注入喜樂和盼望。無論你現在是否與人為伴，基督總想與你在一起......在你其中。
我太太倩娜和我在永活的基督中共同分享信仰。當我走在一起或獨處；有相同意見或意見不合，我們都知道大家的心是愛基督的，這為我倆的婚姻、友誼、家庭和所有其他關係都帶來深厚穩固的根基。
唯有耶穌基督，為我們的心提供畢生滿足的真正喜樂。你永遠不需感到孤寂......與基督在一起，一切都變得更好。
祈禱：
主啊！我知道我總不會寂寞，因祢常與我同在。我渴慕只有祢所能給予的完全滿足的喜樂。阿們！
請看看你最親密的人際關係，基督是不是各關係的中心？如何？為什麼？又為什麼不是呢？
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英文原著：高爾文
26 Sep 2011
Better Together
“…that which we have seen and heard, we declare to you that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” - 1 John 1:3-4
"Alone is much better together.”
I agree. Everyone has felt “alone” at some time. “Alone” means different things to different people. A person can be by himself or herself and not feel lonely. Each individual requires a different style of relationship. Some people love being around others, and have to have someone to talk to, or spend time with, almost constantly.
Others might prefer to be alone - it’s not that they dislike others, but they might feel like maintaining constant conversation or companionship takes effort…effort that produces pressure.
Some prefer the companionship of a friend that doesn’t require constant conversation - just “being together” provides the comfort they seek and need.
All of us have varying ways of dealing with (or without) relationship - no single approach is healthier or unhealthier than the other…for what’s right for me might not be right for you.
But, one thing IS for certain: None of us are EVER truly alone. No. Jesus Christ is our constant companion, friend and total comfort. No one else can provide the individual human soul with the fellowship, the joy, and the hope that Christ alone can bring into our every minute of our every day regardless of other relationships we might, or might not, maintain. Whether you’re with or without people in your presence, Christ longs to be there with you…in your midst.
My wife Sheila and I share our faith in the living Christ. When we’re together or alone, in agreement or disagreement, we know that each of our hearts loves Christ. This brings a profound foundational quality to our marriage, friendship, home, and all of our other relationships.
Only Jesus Christ can provide our hearts with the life-sustaining fullness of true joy. You need never feel alone…all things are better together, with Christ.
Prayer:
Lord, I know I am never alone, for You are with me always. I thirst for the fullness of joy only You can provide. Amen.
Look at your closest human relationships. Is Christ at the center of each of them? How? Why? Why not?
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By Jim Coleman
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