改變：生命中唯一確定的事──CHANGE: ONE OF LIFE’S CERTAINTIES
多年前的一句俗話告訴我們：生命中唯一確定的事就是死亡和繳稅。至少在大多數國家，這兩件事仍然是持續不變的。但還有一個確定的事，是我們都必須面對的，那就是「改變」。就像太陽每天早上確定會從東方升起一樣，無論我們是否喜歡，新的一天也都會確定帶來某種改變。
COVID-19的大流行，確實帶來了巨大的改變。而最近我們也聽說，病毒又不受歡迎地捲土重來，隨之也升高了新的社會限制和法規的危機，其他重大的健康挑戰也可能逐漸逼近。
但是健康和醫療問題，並不是我們生活中發生巨大改變的唯一原因。國家和全球的經濟，似乎比以往任何時候都更加動盪。因此，我們的企業和個人生活的決策都變得更加複雜。另外，科技也是一個持續的改變來源，如果我們要在21世紀的市場上保持競爭力，就要求我們變得更靈活並有適應能力。在我們的行業內，同樣地，無論我們喜歡與否，改變會一直伴隨我們。
那麽，我們該如何應對呢？我喜歡領導力顧問和作家提姆·凱特（Tim Kight）的建議，他說：「改變往往是不方便和不舒服的，但並不意味著它是一種威脅。改變給了一個讓你與眾不同的機會。大多數人不喜歡改變，所以你就不要像大多數人。踏出去，用紀律來回應改變帶來的機會。」
這些都是明智之言。當其他人似乎都在苦惱和抵擋改變時，我們可以選擇擁抱它，並獨特地將自己定位為改變的倡導者。無可否認，這樣的話，說比做容易的多了。那麽，我們要如何做到這一點呢？對上帝的信心是能夠達成的有利條件。考慮一下聖經告訴我們關於改變的幾件事：
上帝是不會改變的。在處理更迭不斷的改變潮流中，找到一個穩定的源頭，一個讓我們不至於漂流的錨，是有幫助的。聖經告訴我們，上帝就是那錨，祂是不斷改變的世界中唯一不變的那一位。「耶穌基督昨日、今日、一直到永遠，是一樣的。」（希伯來書13章8節）「願榮耀、威嚴、能力、權柄，因我們的主耶穌基督歸與他，從萬古以前並現今，直到永永遠遠。阿們！」（猶大1章25節）
不變的上帝掌握著持續改變的未來。你是否知道，當意想不到的、甚至是不想要的改變到來時，你可以相信這些改變的結果已經確定了呢？對上帝的信心給了我們這樣的保證。「耶和華說：我知道我向你們所懷的意念是賜平安的意念，不是降災禍的意念，要叫你們末後有指望。」（耶利米書29章11節）、「你求告我，我就應允你，並將你所不知道、又大又難的事指示你。」（耶利米書33章3節）
上帝永遠與我們同在。在穿越不熟悉的地域時，有一個嚮導，知道正確的道路，可以帶領我們抵達預定的目的地，總是很有幫助的。「我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷，也不怕遭害，因為你與我同在；你的杖，你的竿，都安慰我。」（詩篇23篇4節）、「你不要害怕，因為我與你同在；不要驚惶，因為我是你的上帝。我必堅固你，我必幫助你；我必用我公義的右手扶持你。」（以賽亞書41章10節）
© 2022. Robert J. Tamasy 撰寫了《職場大使：CBMC的持續性傳統-傳福音及門徒訓練》；《企業巔峰：給今日職場從箴言而來永恆的智慧》；與Ken Johnson合著《用牧羊人的心追求生活》；與 David A. Stoddard 合著《導師之心》。他的雙週部落格是：www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com。
備註：如果你手上有聖經，想閱讀更多的內容，可以考慮以下的經文(因篇幅有限，請查閱未列出的經文：箴言14：4、16：4、9，20：24)
詩篇37篇3-7節
37:3你當倚靠耶和華而行善，住在地上，以他的信實為糧；
37:4又要以耶和華為樂，他就將你心裏所求的賜給你。
37:5當將你的事交託耶和華，並倚靠他，他就必成全。
37:6他要使你的公義如光發出，使你的公平明如正午。
37:7你當默然倚靠耶和華，耐性等候他；不要因那道路通達的和那惡謀成就的心懷不平。
箴言3章5-6節
3:5你要專心仰賴耶和華，不可倚靠自己的聰明，
3:6在你一切所行的事上都要認定他，他必指引你的路。
傳道書3章1-8節
3:1凡事都有定期，天下萬務都有定時。
3:2生有時，死有時；栽種有時，拔出所栽種的也有時；
3:3殺戮有時，醫治有時；拆毀有時，建造有時；
3:4哭有時，笑有時；哀慟有時，跳舞有時；
3:5拋擲石頭有時，堆聚石頭有時；懷抱有時，不懷抱有時；
3:6尋找有時，失落有時；保守有時，捨棄有時；
3:7撕裂有時，縫補有時；靜默有時，言語有時；
3:8喜愛有時，恨惡有時；爭戰有時，和好有時。
約翰福音14章27節
14:27我留下平安給你們；我將我的平安賜給你們。我所賜的，不像世人所賜的。你們心裏不要憂愁，也不要膽怯。
反省與問題討論
- 在過去一年中，你不得不面對的最大改變是什麽？
- 你是如何處理這些改變的？它們是否給你帶來了很大的壓力和焦慮，還是你能夠平靜有效地，應對和解決這些改變呢？請解釋一下你的答案。
- 你認為為什麽許多人對改變的反應是負面消極的？當其他人把改變看作是一個需要抵擋的問題時，而以正面積極的方式應對改變，把它看作是一個機會，有多困難呢？
- 你是否同意，對上帝的信心和信靠，讓我們在處理改變的方式上，產生意義深遠的影響？你同意或者不同意？為什麽？如果你同意，有哪些實際方法可以將這種信心付諸行動？
CHANGE: ONE OF LIFE’S CERTAINTIES
By Robert J. Tamasy
The adage from years ago informed us the only things certain in life are death and taxes. Those two remain constant, at least in most countries, but there is at least one other certainty we all must confront: Change. Just as surely as the sun will rise in the east every morning, each new day will bring with it changes of some kind, whether we like it or not.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about monumental changes, of course. And lately we have been hearing that, along with the virus making an unwanted comeback, bringing with it the threat of renewed social restrictions and regulations, other major health challenges might be looming.
But health and medical concerns are not the only causes for massive change in our lives. The economy, both nationally and globally, seems more volatile than ever. As a result, decision-making for both our businesses and our personal lives becomes more complex. Technology is a perpetual source of change, requiring that we become flexible and adaptive if we are to remain competitive in the 21st century marketplace. Within our own industries, change is a constant companion – again, like it or not.
So how are we to respond? I like the advice of leadership consultant and author Tim Kight, who said, “Change is often inconvenient and uncomfortable, but that does not make it a threat. Changes gives you an opportunity to differentiate yourself. Most people do not like change, so do not be like most people. Step up and respond with discipline to the opportunity that change presents.”
Those are wise words. While everyone else seems to be agonizing over and resisting change, we have the option of embracing it, uniquely positioning ourselves as change advocates. Admittedly, that is much easier to say than to put into action. So how do we do this? Faith in God can be a great asset in being able to do that. Consider a few things the Bible tells us about change:
God does not change. In dealing with the shifting currents of change, it helps to find a source of stability, an anchor to keep us from going far adrift. The Scriptures teach that God is the anchor, the one constant in an ever-changing world. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). “to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord before all time, and now, and for all eternity” (Jude 1:25).
The unchanging God holds the ever-changing future. Would you like to know that when unexpected, even unwanted changes come, you can trust the outcome of those changes has been determined? Faith in God gives us this assurance. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11). “Call on Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).
God is always with us. In traveling through unfamiliar territory, it is always helpful to have a guide who knows the way to reach our intended destination. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
© 2022. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; andThe Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard. Bob’s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
- What have been the biggest changes you have had to confront over the past year?
- How have you dealt with those changes? Did they cause a lot of stress and anxiety for you, or were you able to cope with and address those changes calmly and productively? Explain your answer.
- Why do you think so many people respond to change negatively? How difficult is it to respond to change in a positive way, perceiving it as an opportunity, when others see it only as a problem to be resisted?
- Do you agree that faith and trust in God can make a meaningful difference in how we handle changes? Why or why not? If you do agree, what are some practical ways in which such faith can be put into action?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Psalm 37:3-7; Proverbs 3:5-6, 14:4, 16:4,9, 20:24; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; John 14:27
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