牧者心聲
信仰長跑賽
蕭壽華牧師
2024 年 11 月 30 日 / 12 月 1 日
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香港每年舉行各類的長跑賽，有幾公里至100多公里的，有平路賽或越野賽的。剛舉行的樂施毅行者賽事，要求參賽者48小時之內跑完100公里。參加長跑者賽前必須接受長跑的操練，否則容易在比賽期間出現缺糖、抽筋、扭傷的問題。期間賽跑者若因疲累而失去專注，在不平坦的賽道上就會容易失去平衡，跌倒或扭傷。他們要在賽前多做肌肉練習，做一些突然轉向或側跳的練習，減少身體因失平衡而抽筋的機會。
基督徒的人生路也是一條信仰長跑路，容易因個人的遭遇、錯失，或因所在地區的社會、經濟、政治環境轉變，而在長跑路上跌倒、一再抽筋。神知道我們要走一條長路，因此會安排各種鍛煉，堅強我們屬靈的肌肉，要我們艱辛地捱跑，以訓練我們可以長跑。但過程中有人會懷疑神的慈愛，或不再相信祂的應許，或感覺不能再忍耐，便退出賽事，又或保持距離，傷心觀望。
聖經希伯來書談及信徒在地上，會面對各種困難與逼迫，這正是一條長跑的賽事。「由此看來，我們既然有這一大群見證人，好像雲彩般圍繞著我們，就應當除掉各樣的重擔和容易纏住我們的罪，以堅忍的心跑那擺在我們前面的賽程。」（十二1，新漢語譯本）這裡所說的賽程，正是指向一條長跑路程，人要以堅忍的心才能跑完。路程上要留心歷代聖徒留下的榜樣，同時也要「注目」主耶穌身上，思想祂能忍受十架的苦難，是因祂全心盼望「那擺在前面的喜樂」（十二2）。那些能跑完賽程的人，知道並不是「命運」或邪惡勢力操控一切，而是慈愛的神掌管萬有，把這賽程「擺在」我們面前，「使你們完成神的旨意，可以得到所應許的」（十36）。
經受過操練的人，生命產生出一種能耐，能持久在艱難的路程上信靠主，「達到基督豐盛成熟的身量」（弗四13），這正是神要在我們身上達成的目的。人在順利時愛主，在快樂時堅強，並不困難，但在艱難困苦中仍然愛主，在前路茫茫、苦難不知何時結束的時候，仍然安然等候主，這人對主的信仰才是真實的。「忍受試煉的人是有福的，因為他經過考驗之後，必可領受生命的冠冕，就是主應許賜給愛他的人的。」（雅一12）誰是愛主的人？就是那些在考驗中仍信主愛主的人。誰可領受生命的冠冕？就是那些在信仰長跑路上能忍受試煉的人。
All kinds of long-distance races are held in Hong Kong every year. Some take place over a few kilometers and others well over a hundred. Some are done on tracks and roads and others are cross-country. The Oxfam Trailwalker held recently required hikers to cover 100 kilometers in 48 hours. Before a long-distance race, runners must undergo training for running long distances to prevent problems such as low glucose level, cramps and sprains during the race. On undulating roads, if fatigue makes a runner lose focus, he can easily lose balance, fall and sprain himself. Runners need plenty of muscle training before the race. They need to practice abrupt turns and sideway jumps to minimize the chances of having cramps from losing balance.
Likewise, the path of life for Christians is a long-distance race of faith. It is one that is susceptible to falling and cramps due to personal circumstances and mistakes, or changes in the social, economic or political environment. God knows that our path is long. He therefore puts various kinds of training in place to strengthen our spiritual muscles. God wants us to endure the hard race so that we become race-worthy. On the way, some may doubt God's lovingkindness. They may stop believing in His promises or think that they can no longer endure, and so drop out of the race. Some others may keep a distance and sadly look on.
The Book of Hebrews talks about the difficulties and persecutions believers face on earth. It is truly a long-distance race. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (12:1) The race here points to a long-distance race that requires perseverance to finish. During the race, we need to pay attention to the examples set by saints down the ages. At the same time, we need to "fix our eyes" on Jesus. Jesus endured the cross because He looked forward to "the joy set before him" (12:2). Those who can finish the race know that it is not "destiny" or evil powers that are in control. It is the loving God who reigns and "sets" the race before us so that when we "have done the will of God, " we "will receive what he has promised" (10:36).
For those who have been trained, perseverance is produced in their lives, which enables them to consistently trust in the Lord on the difficult journey and "become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). This is what God wants to do in us. It is not difficult for anybody to love the Lord in his good times or to be strong while he is happy. But whoever still loves the Lord and calmly waits on the Lord when he is in distress, when the path ahead is full of uncertainties, or when he sees no end to the hardship he faces, that man's faith is real. "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. " (James 1:12) Who are the ones that love the Lord? They are those who still trust and love the Lord in times of trials. Who can receive the crown of life? They are the ones who endure the tests in the long-distance race of faith.
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