約翰福音 012B

約翰福音

20150408 N.012B

&讀經：約翰福音第十二章

W鑰節：23 耶穌說：「人子得榮耀的時刻已經到了。 24 我鄭重地告訴你們，一粒麥子不落在地裏，死了，仍舊是一粒；如果死了，就結出許多子粒來。 25 那愛惜自己生命的，要喪失生命；願意犧牲自己在這世上的生命的，反而要保存這生命到永生。 26 誰要事奉我，就得跟從我；我在哪裏，我的僕人也要在那裏。那事奉我的人，我父親一定重用他。」(約十二23～26)

V主題：【一粒麥子】

最近，我的生活過得比較悠閒。壓下與人競爭的心態，抹去想要出名的慾望，再放空狂妄的野心，終於我又重回幸福的懷抱。空暇時間一多，我開始蒐集一些花草的幼苗和種子，趁著初春乍暖還寒，我享受著植種的樂趣。

夏槿，這些小傢伙已經於上個月開得滿室生輝；台灣百合，這幾天竟然冒出了十八個花苞；波斯菊，昨日羞怯地向我預告她即將吐露芬芳。我並不是一個喜歡園藝的人，但在種植、澆灌、修剪之餘，我看見生命的真實變化—成長就是這麼一回事。我期待著圍牆上的蒜香藤能再度奼紫嫣紅，也希望門口的金針花下個月可以搖曳生姿（此花又稱為「忘憂草」，是「中國康乃馨」），更盼著那些二期的萵苣在我們的細心照顧下翠綠常青。

耶穌曾以麥子作比喻，「一粒麥子不落在地裡，死了，仍舊是一粒；如果死了，就結出許多子粒來。」(約十二24)以此來教導我們對生命該有的態度：「那愛惜自己生命的，要喪失生命；願意犧牲自己在這世上的生命的，反而要保存這生命到永生。」約十二24)我試著在「拈花惹草」的過程中去理解這個道理。

埋下一粒種子很容易，但是要把自己埋葬掉實在非常困難。我必須城實地承認，自己貪愛世界、戀戀紅塵，有著不願受束縛的七情六慾。捨不去己，就無法專心跟隨耶穌。人生下半場，我還有得熬煉呢！

唉！但是，在鐘擺的另一端，我卻感受到，與世無爭的日子過久了，有時候會怠惰起來；安逸的生活過慣了，不知是否顯得頹廢。我內心在拉扯著，在動與靜的張力間，我發現，不是事奉需要我，而是我需要事奉。

聽聽這首歌：「Grace」。https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56fTWlFxvgs

My heart is so proud, my eyes are so unfocused.

 I see the things You do through me as great things I have done.

 And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me

 And hold me as my Father and mold me as my Maker.

 I ask You: "How many times will You pick me up,

 When I keep on letting You down?

 And each time I will fall short of Your glory,

 How far will forgiveness abound?"

 And You answer: "My child, I love you.

 And as long as you're seeking My face,

 You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace."

 At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged,

 Knowing that someone, somewhere could do a better job.

 For who am I to serve You? I know I don't deserve You.

 And that's the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on.

 I ask You: "How many times will You pick me up,

 When I keep on letting You down?

 And each time I will fall short of Your glory,

 How far will forgiveness abound?"

 And You answer: "My child, I love you.

 And as long as you're seeking My face,

 You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace."

 You are so patient with me, Lord.

 I ask You: "How many times will You pick me up,

 When I keep on letting You down?

 And each time I will fall short of Your glory,

 How far will forgiveness abound?"

 And You answer: "My child, I love you.

 And as long as you're seeking My face,

 You'll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace."