牧者心聲

「一分耕耘，一分收穫」有其道理，卻不足以概括人生。人努力，未必立刻看見成果；人籌算，也未必能控制結果。昨天以為穩妥的工作，今天可能因政策、經濟或公司重組而改變；原本用心栽培的人，也許忽然選擇離開；投入甚多的計劃，也未必如預期發展。於是，我們不免要問：既然將來充滿變數，今天的努力還有甚麼意義？ 

《傳道書》坦然指出，人不知道將來會發生甚麼事，也不能參透神一切的作為。然而，正因未來不可控，我們更要學習在神面前忠心地活在今天。既然不知道將來有何災禍，便不應只為自保而無盡積累，也不宜將期盼全放在單一安排上。「要把你的糧食撒在水面上，因為日久你必得回。你要分為七份，或分為八份，因為你不知道將來會有甚麼災禍在地上發生。」（傳十一 1-2，新譯本）

傳道者勸人慷慨，也教導人以智慧作適當分配。這也許表現在接手一項不被看好的工作，或是在環境不明朗時仍願意進修裝備。對教會而言，就是繼續支持宣教、拓植分堂、關心社區、牧養有需要的人。這些付出未必立時有果效，當下也不一定得到人的掌聲；但在不確定中，人仍可行善、獻呈、選擇作正確的事，並按神所賜的智慧前行。

不少人常以「再等一等」掩飾心中的懼怕，總想等環境穩定、資源充足、把握十足，才願意行事。「看風的，不撒種；觀雲的，不收割。」（傳十一 4）傳道者指出，農夫若一直等候萬事俱備、天氣完全合宜，便會錯過撒種和收割的時機。

當然，憑信心並不等於不計後果，尋求神的旨意也不排斥思考和計劃；只是，若等到毫無風險才肯踏出一步，結果只會一直停在原地。因此，傳道者勸勉我們：「早晨要撒你的種，直到黃昏也不要歇手；因為你不知道哪一樣種得成，是早撒的，或晚撒的，或兩者都一樣好。」（傳十一 6）早晨與晚上，指向不同時段和機會；神能按祂的時間使用我們所作的工。我們不明白許多事情如何發生，卻知道神的工作不因人的無知而停止。

若你正面對前路未明、工作受挫，或事奉看不見果效，你可以為明天禱告，也可以為未來預備；但請先做好神今天交在你手中的事。至於最後如何、別人的回應和將來的發展，則交託給神。未來雖然不可控，我們的主仍在風雲變幻中掌管。

  "One measure of labor for one measure of harvest" has its truth, but it does not fully sum up life. We may work hard, yet we may not see results right away. We may plan carefully, yet we cannot always control the outcome. A job we thought was secure yesterday may change today because of new policy, the economy, or company restructuring. Someone we have poured our hearts into nurturing may suddenly decide to leave. A project in which we have invested much may not develop as expected. So we cannot help but ask: If the future is so uncertain, what is the point of working hard today?

  Ecclesiastes states plainly that we do not know what will happen in the future, nor can we understand all that God does. Yet because we cannot control the future, we must learn to live faithfully before God today. Since we do not know what trouble may come, we should not keep storing up things simply to protect ourselves. Nor should we place all our hopes on a single plan. "Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land." (Ecclesiastes 11:1–2)

  The Teacher urges us to be generous. He also teaches us to use wisdom in how we distribute what we have. This may look like taking on a task no one expects much from. It may mean continuing to study and prepare ourselves even when the future looks unclear. For the church, it means continuing to support missions, plant churches, care for the community, and shepherd those in need. These efforts may not bring quick results. They may not win the applause from others right away. Yet, even in uncertainty, we can still do good, give of ourselves, choose to do what is right, and move forward in the wisdom of God.

  Many people resort to "wait a little longer" to hide the fear within them. They want to wait until circumstances are stable, resources are sufficient, and success seems certain before they are willing to act. "Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap." (Ecclesiastes 11:4) The Teacher points out that if a farmer keeps waiting until everything is ready and the weather is perfectly favorable, he will miss the opportunity both to sow and to reap.

  Of course, walking by faith does not mean ignoring consequences, nor does seeking God's will exclude thinking and planning. It is simply that if we refuse to take a step until there is no risk at all, we will simply remain where we are. So the Teacher encourages us: "Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well." (Ecclesiastes 11:6) Morning and evening point to different times and opportunities. God can use our work in His own timing. We may not understand how many things happen, but we know that God's work does not cease because of our lack of understanding.

  If you are facing an uncertain road ahead, setbacks at work, or a ministry in which you see no results, you can pray about tomorrow and prepare for the future; but first, faithfully do what God has entrusted to you today. As for the final outcome, the response of others, and what the future holds, entrust them to God. The future may be beyond our control, but our Lord remains sovereign even in turbulent, shifting times.