生命是一個過程。我們或許會有相類似的經驗，但每個人在面對問題和挑戰時，總會根據他們獨特的情況而有所不同。真正的關鍵是認識這個過程並擁抱它。這是我在人生旅程中發現最重要的事情。

這並不意味著，生命只是一場悠閒的公園散步。生命其實充滿了各樣危險的情況和環境，需要有意識的準備和計劃。理想的情況，可以不是一個，我們必須獨自承擔的過程。

但並非所有人都非常幸運，能擁有願意投資於我們未來世代的，生命導師和教練。許多年輕人只能獨立應對，可悲的是，他們追隨的往往是那些走向毀滅之路的人，所帶來的影響。

對我來說，我很幸運地有人投資於我的生命。因此，我能為他人做同樣的事情似乎變得理所當然的。現在，上帝讓我來帶領一位年紀比我稍小的弟兄，參加《提摩太行動》（Operation Timothy）。這是CBMC根據聖經教導的基礎課程，這個課程已經使用了50多年。35年前，我第一次和卡爾·舒勒（Carl Schuele）一起完成了《提摩太行動》。我永遠感激他，犧牲了自己的時間， 在每個星期二早晨與我和另一個人會面，持續了將近一年。

《提摩太行動》不僅僅是聚在一起研讀聖經，更是關於擁抱個人生命、專業進步和屬靈成長的過程。在我的朋友卡爾的一生中，他向許多企業家和專業人士，展現了如何成為上帝子民的生命。然而我們不是被教導的；我們中的許多人是透過他的言語和榜樣，而感受到他對生命的熱情還有對事奉基督的擺上。

在我看來，上帝把卡爾召回天家的時間太早了，但這通常是祂對聖徒的獎賞。想想希伯來書11章38節所說：「…本是世界不配有的人。」然而，只有上帝能夠決定，我們在這個世界上，為祂的目的會停留多久；我們中的一些人也許會留下很長時間。我們應該要有智慧地學習聖經中的原則，如何管理我們的生命，並盡我們所能地去討我們的救主和主（Savior and Lord ）的喜悅。

對我來說，這意味著要有正確的優先次序，並在上帝呼召我以某種方式服事祂和他人時，隨時都能夠回應。這個「呼召」可能透過工商職場、教會、家庭或其他個人關係來實現。在這個過程中，我的任務是，確保我能夠感受到上帝的同在和作為，並且在如何應對那些情況中，要順服祂的旨意。

我經常被使徒保羅這句精闢的忠告所鼓勵和挑戰：「無論做什麼，或說話或行事，都要奉主耶穌的名，藉著他感謝父神。」（歌羅西書3章17節）

這就是我們應該專注的地方。如果我們要經歷豐盛的生命，我們需要擁抱神的聖靈的引導。正如耶穌基督所說的：「…我來了，是要叫羊得生命，並且得的更豐盛。」（約翰福音10章10節）如果我們尋求保持在上帝的旨意中，生命將會是一場令人興奮的旅程。我個人的渴望是隨時隨地，全然奉獻自己來服事我的救主和主，不論何時、何地、無論何事，直到永遠（WWWF – Whatever, Wherever, Whenever and Forever ），都為了祂的榮耀！

Jim Langley擔任人壽和健康保險經紀人期間已有30多年，他的寫作經歷也是。近年來，他的熱情轉向寫下他與神的個人關係。他的目標是鼓勵其他人來親近神。他是CBMC的長期會員，在2014年開始撰寫「比賽最後四分之一場戰略」。

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：

傳道書 8章5-6節
8: 5 凡遵守命令的，必不經歷禍患；智慧人的心能辨明時候和定理。
8: 6 各樣事務成就都有時候和定理，因為人的苦難重壓在他身上。
約翰福音 17章20-23節
17: 20 我不但為這些人祈求，也為那些因他們的話信我的人祈求，
17: 21 使他們都合而為一。正如你父在我裡面，我在你裡面，使他們也在我們裡面，叫世人可以信你差了我來。
17: 22 你所賜給我的榮耀，我已賜給他們，使他們合而為一，像我們合而為一。
17: 23 我在他們裡面，你在我裡面，使他們完完全全地合而為一，叫世人知道你差了我來，也知道你愛他們如同愛我一樣。
歌羅西書 3章23-25節
3: 23 無論做什麼，都要從心裡做，像是給主做的，不是給人做的，
3: 24 因你們知道從主那裡必得著基業為賞賜；你們所事奉的乃是主基督。
3: 25 那行不義的必受不義的報應；主並不偏待人。
提多書1章9節
1: 9堅守所教真實的道理，就能將純正的教訓勸化人，又能把爭辯的人駁倒了。
約翰一書 4章7-10節
4: 7親愛的弟兄啊，我們應當彼此相愛，因為愛是從神來的。凡有愛心的，都是由神而生，並且認識神。
4: 8 沒有愛心的，就不認識神，因為神就是愛。
4: 9 神差他獨生子到世間來，使我們藉著他得生，神愛我們的心在此就顯明了。
4: 10不是我們愛神，乃是神愛我們，差他的兒子為我們的罪作了挽回祭，這就是愛了。

反省與問題討論

1. 你是否同意「生命是一個過程」的說法？你認為這個說法在哪些方面是對的，或可能是對的？
2. 如果你要描述你目前在 “過程” 中的位置，你會怎麼說呢？你會如何評估自己在這個過程中的進展，你希望未來在哪些方面有更多的進步呢？
3. 你對於承諾投資於他人的生命、幫助他們在個人、職業和屬靈方面有所成長，你有什麼看法呢？是否有人在你的生命中擔任過這樣的角色？如果有，請說明他們對你所帶來的影響。
4. 有人說過，當我們透過教練或是門徒訓練投資於他人的生命時，雙方都會受益，共同成長。你認為你可以如何參與這樣一個能夠改變生命、互惠互利的過程呢？

THE JOY OF EMBRACING THE PROCESS

By  Jim Langley 

Life is a process. We might have similar experiences, but every person deals with problems and challenges a bit differently based upon their unique circumstances. The key is recognizing the process and embracing it. This is what I have found most significant in my life journey.

This is not to suggest in any way that life is just a leisurely walk through the park. Life is filled with hazardous conditions and circumstances that require deliberate preparation and planning. Ideally it is not a process we must undertake on our own.

Not all are blessed to have mentors and coaches who gladly invest in the lives of our future generations. Many younger people are left to fend for themselves and sadly, follow the influence of those who are headed down a path of destruction.

In my case, I am fortunate to have had people that have invested in my life. For that reason, it only seems appropriate to do the same for others. God now has me taking a gentleman only slightly younger than me through Operation Timothy (OT), CBMC’s foundational study of the Bible that has been used for more than 50 years. I first went through OT with Carl Schuele 35 years ago. I am forever grateful for his sacrifice in meeting with me and another man every Tuesday morning for nearly a year.

OT is not only meeting together and studying the Scriptures. It is all about embracing the process of personal, professional, and spiritual growth. During his lifetime, my friend Carl showed many businessmen and professional men how to live as people of God. But we were not taught; many of us caught his passion for life and devotion for serving Christ through both his words and his example.

God called Carl home to Heaven much too soon in my view, but that is often the reward of his saints. Consider these words in Hebrews 11:38a: “the world was not worthy of them.” However, only God decides how long we are placed in this world for His purpose; some of us remain for a long time. We would be wise to learn biblical principles about how to conduct our lives and do all we can to please our Savior and Lord.

For me, this means having my priorities in order and being available whenever God calls me to serve Him and others in some way. This “call” may come through business, church, family, or some other personal relationship. My task in the process is to make sure I recognize God’s working in my presence and being obedient in how I respond to His desires in those circumstances.

I have often been both encouraged and challenged by this excellent advice from the apostle Paul: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

This is where our focus should be. We need to embrace the leading of God’s Holy Spirit if we are to experience life to the full. As Jesus Christ said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Life can be an exciting journey if we seek to remain in God’s will. My personal desire is to be available to serve my Savior and Lord in WWWF – Whatever, Wherever, Whenever and Forever – for His glory!

© 2023, all rights reserved. Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his relationship with God. His goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. A long-time member of CBMC, he started writing “Fourth Quarter Strategies” in 2014.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. Do you agree with the statement that “life is a process”? In what ways do you think this is true – or can be true?
2. If you were to describe where you are presently in the “process,” what would you say?How would you assess your progress in this process – and where do you hope to experience more progress in the future?
3. What do you think of the commitment to invest in the lives of others, to help them in growing personally, professionally, and spiritually? Has someone served in that role in your life? If so, explain the difference that they have made for you.
4. It has been said that when we invest in others through mentoring and discipling, both individuals benefit. They grow together. How do you think you could become involved in such a life-changing, mutually beneficial process?

NOTE: For more about what the Bible says, consider the following passages:
Ecclesiastes 8:5-6; John 17:20-23; Colossians 3:23-25; Titus 1:9 1 John 4:7-10

相關（靈修文章）：

• 週一嗎哪
• 讀經日引
• 荒漠甘泉
• 成語靈訓
• 真理再思
• 歲首到年終

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