理查德·布拉卡比（Richard Blackaby）是一位作家和國際演講者。他曾分享了一個職場人士的故事，這位職場人士表達了對神一直沉默的沮喪，因為他在尋求是否應該接受一份新工作的決定時，並沒有聽到神的回應。他說他因為沒有聽到神的聲音，就答應了那份工作。結果最後這是一個非常糟糕的決定。

布拉卡比說，在與這個人交談時，他開始提出一些探究性（probing）的問題：「你的妻子對這份工作有什麼看法？」「哦，她從來不喜歡這個主意」這位人士回答道。

接著，布拉卡比問這個人是否曾向他的牧師請教。「他不是商業人士，所以我忽略了他！」他回答道。「即使我兒子，都告訴我不要接受這份工作，但他只是個孩子。」布拉卡比立刻意識到問題的所在「聽起來神已經說話了，而且有好幾次，你只是沒有聆聽。」

當面對生活和工作的挑戰時，對於如何實踐自己的信仰，最常見的問題之一是：「我怎樣才能知道神的旨意呢?」 我們在聖經中，可以找到一些神曾經直接和個人說話的例子，如挪亞被指示建造一艘巨大的方舟；摩西在燃燒的荊棘中；年幼的先知撒母耳；掃羅（後來成為使徒保羅）在通往大馬士革的路上，還有其他人等。

也許你也認識一些，聲稱已經聽到神清楚地與他們說話的人。是的，主有可能以這種方式工作，但這樣的情況卻非常罕見。祂通常不會以聽得見的方式與我們溝通，也不會在廣告牌上張貼信息或使用閃亮的霓虹燈。神通常用其他各種方式與我們交談。 讓我們思考其中的一些方法：

神透過祂的話語對我們說話。聖經的舊約和新約共66卷書中，充滿了適用於日常生活的真理和原則，即使是對於21世紀的工商職場也是如此。正如一位高階主管曾經說過：「這是我讀過的最好的商業書籍。」我也同意這個觀點。「聖經都是神所默示的，於教訓、督責、使人歸正、教導人學義都是有益的，叫屬神的人得以完全，預備行各樣的善事。」（提摩太後書3章16-17節）

神透過合神心意的忠告對我們說話。有時我們會抗拒尋求建議，或是不聽從被告知的建議，因為它與我們所想要的相反。但是值得信賴的、合神心意的忠告－同儕、同事、直覺敏銳的配偶，甚至是觀察敏銳的孩子－可以幫助我們避免做出誤導人生的錯誤決定。「無智謀，民就敗落；謀士多，人便安居。」（箴言11章14節）「你要聽勸教，受訓誨，使你終久有智慧。」（箴言19章20節）

神透過環境對我們說話。在引導我們的時候，神會用一種關閉一扇門，打開另一扇門的方式來說話。「人心籌算自己的道路，惟耶和華指引他的腳步。」（箴言16章9節）「人的腳步是耶和華所定，人豈能明白自己的路呢？」（箴言20章24節）

神可以用其他方式引導我們，但關鍵是要聆聽和注意。耶穌在馬太福音11章15節中說：「有耳可聽的，就應當聽！」如果我們求問，神可以選擇用任何方式來對我們說話，但我們需要願意聆聽。

@2023版權所有，經許可改編自 “UBN誠信時刻”，關於職場工作中信仰議題的評論。UBN（非常規企業聯盟）是一個服務小型企業界的國際性職場信仰事工。UBN的官網: www.unconventionalbusiness.org

備註：如果你有聖經，想閱讀更多相關的內容，請參考下面的經文：

詩篇 119篇9、11節
119: 9 少年人用什麼潔淨他的行為呢？是要遵行你的話！
119:11我將你的話藏在心裡，免得我得罪你。
箴言 10章9節
10: 9 行正直路的，步步安穩；走彎曲道的，必致敗露。
箴言 13章1節
13: 1 智慧子聽父親的教訓；褻慢人不聽責備。
箴言 15章22節
15:22 不先商議，所謀無效；謀士眾多，所謀乃成。
箴言 16章3節
16:3  你所做的，要交託耶和華，你所謀的，就必成立。
箴言 19章21節
19:21 人心多有計謀；惟有耶和華的籌算才能立定。
箴言 20章25節
20:25  人冒失說，這是聖物，許願之後才查問，就是自陷網羅。
箴言 21章30節
21:30 沒有人能以智慧、聰明、謀略敵擋耶和華。
箴言 25章12節
25:12 智慧人的勸誡，在順從的人耳中，好像金耳環和精金的妝飾。

反省與問題討論

1. 你自己或者你認識的人，是否曾經有過，上帝以非常直接的方式對你說話的經驗？如果是，那是一種怎樣的經歷呢？當時的情況是怎樣的？
2. 你在做非常重要的決定時，通常會禱告並尋求上帝的智慧和引導嗎？請解釋你的答案？
3. 你認為上帝透過聖經對我們說話的方式有哪些，能夠在計劃、決策，甚至糾正錯誤時，給予我們所需要的指引呢？你能想到任何例子嗎？
4. 你對於接受和認真考慮別人提供的建議和忠告有多開放呢？即使你的配偶不在你的領域工作，或甚至沒有你所選職業的專業知識，你是否願意接受他或她的觀點呢？為什麼？

LISTENING TO GOD – BUT NOT REALLY LISTENING

By Rick Boxx  

Richard Blackaby, an author and international speaker, tells the story about a businessman who
expressed frustration that God had been silent when he sought wisdom about whether to accept an offer for a new job. This man claimed he had taken the job because he did not hear from God. It turned out to be a terrible decision. 

Blackaby said while talking with the individual, he began asking some probing questions: “What did your wife think about the job?” “Oh, she never liked the idea,” the businessman replied.  

Next, Blackaby asked about whether the man had consulted with his pastor. “He’s not a business guy, so I ignored him!” he responded. “Even my son told me not to take the job, but he’s just a kid.” Immediately recognizing what the problem might be, Blackaby observed, “It sounds like God spoke several times. You just weren’t listening.” 

One of the most common questions about trying to live out one’s faith when confronting the challenges of life and work is, “How can I know God’s will?” We find examples in the Bible of individuals to whom God did speak directly and personally – Noah, who was instructed to build a huge ark; Moses at the burning bush; the prophet Eli when he was just a boy; Saul (who became the apostle Paul) on the road to Damascus, and others.

Perhaps you know of someone who claims to have heard God clearly speaking to them. Yes, the Lord can work that way, but such instances are very rare. He typically does not communicate with us audibly, post a message on a billboard, or use neon signs. Most often, God speaks to us in a variety of other ways. Let’s consider some of them:

God speaks through His Word. The 66 books of the Bible’s Old and New Testaments are packed with truths and principles applicable for everyday life, even for the 21 st century marketplace. As one top executive once said, “It’s the best business book I ever read.” I agree. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training and righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

God speaks through godly counsel. Sometimes we resist seeking advice or fail to heed what we are told because it goes contrary to our desires. But trusted, godly counselors – peers, colleagues, an intuitive spouse, and even a perceptive child – can help us avoid making life-altering wrong decisions. “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure” (Proverbs 11:14). “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise” (Proverbs 19:20).

God speaks through circumstances. In guiding us, God has a way of closing one door and opening another. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9). “A man’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24).

The Lord can guide us in other ways as well, but the key is to listen and pay attention. In Matthew 11:15, Jesus said, “The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.” If we ask, God can choose to speak to us in any number of ways, but we do need to be willing to listen. 

Copyright 2023, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from “UBN Integrity Moments”, a commentary on faith at work issues. Visit  www.unconventionalbusiness.org UBN is a faith at work ministry serving the international small business community.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Have you – or someone you know – ever experienced God speaking to you in a very direct way?
   If so, what was that experience like? What were the circumstances?
2. Do you typically pray and seek God’s wisdom and guidance when making very important
   decisions? Why or why not?
3. In what ways do you think the Lord can speak to us through the Scriptures, giving us desired
   direction in planning, decision-making, and even correcting errors? Can you think of any examples?
4. How open are you to receiving and seriously considering advice and counsel offered by others?
   Would you be willing to accept the perspectives of your spouse, even if he or she does not work where you do or even have expertise in your chosen profession? Why or why not?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:
Psalm 119:9,11; Proverbs 10:9, 13:1, 15:22, 16:3, 19:21, 20:25, 21:30, 25:12

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• 讀經日引
• 荒漠甘泉
• 成語靈訓
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