11. Manna issue 92 - Looking After Our Spiritual Health As Young Adults 像青壯年一樣，好好照料自已的靈命健康
Naomi Shek—Edinburgh, UK 英國艾丁堡 Naomi Shek
For many students, starting university presents an array of new and unique experiences.
We are likely to take on more responsibilities, independently managing our studies, time, and money.
We learn important lessons on looking after ourselves,
and acquire valuable skills for entering the workforce.
As well as being exciting and enjoyable,
the experience also eases us into adulthood.
Thus, it is a critical time for us to become more independent and mature.
對於許多學生來說，開始上大學出現了一系列新穎獨特的體驗。
我們很可能會承擔更多的責任，獨立管理自已的學習、時間和金錢。
我們學到照顧自己的重要課程，
並獲得進入職場的寶貴技能。
除了令人興奮和愉快之外，
這種經歷也讓我們輕鬆進入了成年期。
因此，這是我們變得更加獨立成熟的關鍵時期。
After moving away for university,
I noticed that phone calls with my parents mainly centered around my health and well-being.
They often reminded me to look after my physical health
by eating well, sleeping enough, and exercising,
but they also encouraged me to take care of my spiritual health.
搬家上大學後，
我注意到，給父母的電話主要集中在我的健康和幸福上。
他們經常提醒我注意自已的身體健康，
要吃得健康，好好睡覺，多多運動，
但他們也鼓勵我，要好好照顧我的屬靈健康。
Taking care of my physical health was pretty straightforward,
but when it came to my spiritual health, there were times when I felt out of my depth.
It is relatively easy to tell when our physical health is not doing well
—we may feel more tired than usual or experience an unexpected pain or itch.
However, the signs of poor spiritual health may not always be as obvious.
This is why, like with our physical health,
we must perform a thorough examination to know the condition of our faith.
照顧自已的身體健康很簡單，
但是談到我的屬靈健康時，有時我會感到力不從心。
當我們的身體健康狀況不佳時，這是相對容易判斷的，
—我們可能會感到比平時更累，或感覺到意想不到的疼痛或瘙癢。
然而，屬靈健康不佳的跡象，可能並不總是那麼明顯。
這就是為什麼，就像我們的身體健康一樣，
我們必須進行徹底的檢查，以了解我們信仰的狀況。
After four years at university
—of growing in independence and stepping into adulthood
—I have learned many valuable lessons in how to nurture my spirituality.
Here are some teachings I have gained so far.
大學四年後，
—獨立成長，步入成年，
—在如何培養自已靈命的方面，我學到了許多寶貴的經驗。
以下是我迄今獲得的一些教導。
THE IMPORTANCE OF EXAMINING OUR FAITH 查驗自已信心的重要性
“Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself,
lest you forget the things your eyes have seen,
and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life.
And teach them to your children and your grandchildren.”
(Deut 4:9)
9你只要謹慎，殷勤保守你的心靈，
免得忘記你親眼所看見的事，
又免得你一生這事離開你的心；
總要傳給你的子子孫孫。
(申 4：9)
In this passage, God teaches the new generation of Israelites His law before they enter Canaan.
He instructs each person to pay close attention to themselves,
lest they forget the grace and wondrous things He has done for them and depart.
The instruction to “take heed” is repeated three more times
(Deut 4:15, 19, 23).
If the people do not follow God’s guidance
and are drawn to create idols and serve other gods,
they will face specific consequences.
God, as a consuming fire, will utterly destroy them
(Deut 4:24).
在這段經文中，神在新一代以色列人進入迦南之前，教導他們祂的律法。
他指示每個人要密切關注自己，
免得他們忘記祂為他們所做的恩典和奇妙的事跡，而離開。
“謹慎”的指示重複三遍多，
（申 4：15，19，23）。
如果人們不聽從神的引導，
並被吸引去創造偶像，事奉其他神祇，
他們將面臨特定的後果。
神就像烈火一樣，將徹底毀滅他們
（申 4：24）。
This applies to us today. God instructs us to pay careful attention.
We must examine ourselves to ensure that we do not stray from His word
—to keep within His promise.
Taking heed means we must constantly examine our conduct, thoughts, and attitude
to ensure that we are fully in line with God’s commandments.
Otherwise, we may unwittingly depart from His grace.
這種原則亦適用於今日的我們。
神指示我們要特別注意。
我們必須自我審查，以確保我們沒有偏離祂的話語，
—保守於祂的應許中。
謹慎代表了，我們必須不斷地檢查自已的行為、思想和態度，
以確保我們完全符合神的誡命。
否則，我們可能會不知不覺而離開了祂的恩典。
Having enrolled in an intensive and competitive course, notorious for its heavy workload,
I knew that I could not afford to slack off.
I also recognized the importance of being a well-rounded student,
so I took the opportunity to join different societies during my first year.
I quickly found myself busy with my studies and extracurriculars,
which became permanent residents in my thoughts.
Slowly, almost without realizing it,
I reduced my daily Bible reading to only a few times a week,
and my prayers grew shorter.
登記加入了一門密集和競爭性課程，以繁重的工作量而惡名昭彰，
我知道，自已不能經不起鬆懈。
我也體認到，要成為一個全面發展才藝學生的重要性，
所以我在第一年，就抓住機會加入了不同的社團。
我很快發現，自己忙於學習和課外活動，
他們常常佔據了我的心思。
慢慢地，幾乎沒有意識到，
我把每天的讀經，縮減到每週只會讀幾次，
我的禱告時間變得越來越短。
I knew that my spiritual health was suffering,
but I attributed this to my heavy workload and adjusting to university life.
In reality, I had become spiritually lazy and ensnared by worldly trends and desires.
我知道我的屬靈健康正在衰弱，
但我將此歸因於自已有繁重的工作量，並且為了適應大學生活。
事實上，我變得靈性懶惰，被世俗的潮流和慾望所困。
It is easy for us to become immersed in our busy lives.
Especially when we enter into a new environment such as university or college,
our faith can be demoted on our mental priority list.
This is dangerous, as we risk departing from God’s commandments.
Our own lives and achievements can become idols in our hearts, unbeknownst to us.
我們很容易沉浸在自已忙碌的生活中。
尤其是當我們進入一個新的環境，比如大學大專院校，
在我們的心理優先順序表中，自已的信仰可能會被降級。
這很危險，因為我們正冒著偏離神誡命的風險。
我們自己的生活和成就，就可能會成為心中的偶像，而我們並沒有察覺。
God instructs us to be alert in our faith and pay close attention to how we live.
This is His great mercy and love for us.
神教導我們，信仰上要保持警醒，並密切關注自已的生活方式。
這是祂對我們極大的憐憫和慈愛。
KNOWING THE CONDITION OF OUR FAITH 了解自已信仰的狀況
Knowing that we need to examine our faith is one thing,
but knowing how to do it is another;
here are some steps I found helpful during my studies.
知道自已需要檢查信仰是一回事，
但知道要怎麼做又是另外一回事；
以下是我在學習期間發現有用的一些步驟。
Honest Self-Reflection 誠實自已反省
Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the LORD.
(Lam 3:40)
40我們當深深考察自己的行為，再歸向耶和華。
(哀 3：40)
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.
Test yourselves.
Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?
—unless indeed you are disqualified.
But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.
(2 Cor 13:5–6)
5你們總要自己省察有信心沒有，
也要自己試驗。
豈不知你們若不是可棄絕的，就有耶穌基督在你們心裡麼？
6我卻盼望你們曉得，我們不是可棄絕的人。
(林後 13：5-6)
Perhaps we have identified a problem, or maybe we have yet to.
To know the condition of our faith requires
that we must first look, through self-reflection.
Reflection is a helpful tool
involving a process of careful and conscious consideration of a topic or experience
and developing personal insights and actionable takeaways
that improve our understanding.
也許我們已經發現了一個問題，或者還沒有發現。
要了解自已信仰的情狀需要，
首先要通過自我反省，來審查自已。
反省是一個有用的工具，
利用主題或體驗，來進行仔細有意識性思考的過程，
並且產生個人領悟和可執行的步驟，
可以提高了我們的理解。
How can we apply reflection to our faith?
Let us focus on a particular aspect: prayer.
When we pray, do we consider the objectives of our prayer before we begin?
我們如何將反省運用於自已的信仰呢？
讓我們專注於一個特定的面向：祈禱。
當我們禱告時，自已是否在開始之前，有好好思考我們祈禱的目標呢？
We can start by asking ourselves a few questions before we kneel.
What will take up most of our focus during prayer time?
Why are we praying for such matters in particular?
What is our overall goal?
Perhaps we spend a large portion of our time praying for our studies,
that they may go smoothly and that we may be successful.
在我們跪下之前，可以先問自己幾個問題。
在禱告時間裡，什麼事會佔據我們大部分的注意力？
為什麼我們要特別為這些事情禱告？
我們的整體目標是什麼？
也許我們會把大部分時間，都用在為自已的學習祈求，
使學習能順利進行，並且可使我們成功。
By questioning ourselves and inspecting our innermost requests,
we can discover insights into the condition of our faith.
If we are mostly praying for worldly comforts and blessings,
and spending less of our prayers on matters relating to God’s salvation plan,
this may reveal that our spiritual health is suffering.
Our hearts may be solely focused on the things of the world
rather than God’s divine will and salvation plan.
藉著質疑自己，審視我們內心深處的要求，
我們可以發現自已信仰狀況的了解。
如果我們主要祈求世俗的生活富足和祝福，
很少禱告有關神的救恩計劃的事情，
這可能斂表我們的靈命健康正在衰弱。
我們的心可能只專注於世間的事物，
而不是神天國的旨意和救恩計劃。
Next time, before we pray or read the Bible,
we can set aside some time to prepare and reflect on a few questions for ourselves.
I do this by taking a quiet moment and creating a mental note of my objectives and needs,
and considering whether they are in line with God’s will.
Reminding ourselves of our purpose and His word can help bring our focus back to God.
We can also use this method to reflect upon other aspects of our faith.
If we are honest, God will reveal our spiritual condition.
下一次，在我們禱告或讀經之前，
我們可以留出一些時間來準備，和反省幾個自已的問題。
為此，我會找出一個安靜的時間，在心裡記下我的目標和需求，
並思考它們是否符合神的旨意。
提醒自己我們的目的和祂的話語，可以幫助我們把注意力拉回到神身上。
我們也可以用這種方法，來反省自已信仰的其他方面。
如果我們誠實，神會顯露我們屬靈的情況。
Upon reflecting on my faith,
I was able to experience a change in my thoughts and mindset
towards my life and my relationship with God.
Firstly, I identified that
I had not entirely given myself to God and lacked good spiritual habits
such as daily Bible reading and prayers.
These good habits had been replaced by unhealthy secular desires,
by which I had become influenced.
When I considered honestly,
I realized that I was not too busy for God.
I wasted much of my free time on worthless and unedifying activities.
I thank God that I learned from and identified my weaknesses through reflection.
一反省了我自已的信仰，
以前我能夠體驗到自已思想心態的改變，
朝著自已生活和自已與神的關係轉變。
首先，我認清了，
我並沒有將自己完全交託給神，缺少良好的屬靈習慣，
例如每日讀經和禱告。
這些好習慣，都被不健康的世俗慾望所取代，
我受到了這些事的影響。
當我誠實地好好思考時，
我才明白，自已並沒有太忙神的事情。
我把大部分空閒時間，都浪費在毫無價值和意義的活動上。
感謝神，我從反省中學習，並發現了自己的弱點。
God As Our Examiner 神是我們的審查者
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me;
Try my mind and my heart.
(Ps 26:2)
2耶和華啊，求你察看我，
試驗我，熬煉我的肺腑心腸。
(詩 26：2)
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
(Ps 139:23–24)
23神啊，求你鑒察我，知道我的心思，試煉我，知道我的意念，
24看在我裡面有甚麼惡行沒有，引導我走永生的道路。
(詩 139：23-24)
Introspection may reveal insights into the condition of our faith,
but to understand more deeply, we must turn to God and ask Him to examine our hearts.
We can do this by studying and meditating on God’s word.
God is almighty and all-knowing;
our minds and understanding are limited,
but His understanding is limitless
(Rom 11:33; Ps 147:5).
內省可以顯露自已信仰狀況的了解，
但若要更深入地了解，我們必須轉向神，求祂察驗我們的內心。
我們可以通過學習和默想神的話語，來達到神察驗我們的內心。
神是全能全知的；
我們的心思和了解是有限的，
但祂的理解是無限的
（羅 11：33；詩 14：5）。
Just as we take notes during our university classes for revision,
some of us may like to take notes during sermons and cultivation seminars.
How often do we review our notes for further edification?
There is little benefit if we take notes and never revisit them,
forgetting all the teachings once the notebook is closed.
Reviewing the sermon, using our notes or mental recall,
provides an opportunity for consolidation, meditation, and assimilation of God’s word.
There is always something more we can take away from studying God’s word,
and through this, God speaks to us and brings to light our spiritual malaise.
就像我們在大學上課，做筆記以備複習一樣，
我們有一些人，可能喜歡於講道和講習會時做筆記。
我們多久會複習，以使我們從筆記裡，獲得進一步的造就？
如果我們做了筆記，但是從不再次檢視記錄，那就幾乎沒有什麼好處，
一旦合上筆記本之後，就忘記所有的教導。
回顧講道，使用自已的筆記或心理回憶，
有機會可以整合、默想和吸收神的話語。
從研讀神的話語中，我們總能學到更多東西，
通過這樣作，神對我們說話，並揭開我們屬靈的軟弱。
Meditation can also be done during prayer:
the Holy Spirit is able to search into our innermost thoughts
to reveal our spiritual impurities and intercede for us
(1 Cor 2:10, Rom 8:26).
If we are willing, God will reveal ways to improve and change ourselves
so that we live a genuinely God-centered life.
在祈禱期間，也可以好好思想：
聖靈能夠發掘我們內心深處的想法，
揭露我們屬靈的罪過，並為我們代求
（林前 2：10，羅 8：26）。
如果我們願意，神會啟示方法，讓我們可以改善和改變自己，
這樣我們才能過真正以神為中心的生活。
Spiritual Companionship 屬靈的情誼
Sometimes, it takes a friend to point out our habits or weaknesses for us
to notice them ourselves.
This is the same for our faith;
we are not alone on this journey of faith
(Eccl 4:9).
Sometimes a gentle reminder from a fellow brother or sister alerts us
to an area where we are falling short.
有時，需要有朋友為自已指出我們的習慣或軟弱
才會讓自己去注意到這些問題。
我們的信仰也是如此；
在這條信仰之旅中，我們並不孤單
（傳 4：9）。
有時，來自兄弟姐妹同靈的溫柔提醒，會讓我們警醒，
去注意到我們有缺失的地方。
When we receive reminders from others,
we should honestly examine ourselves concerning whatever has been brought to attention,
and work with God to change ourselves for the better.
We should also be supporting our spiritual companions by looking out for them and their faith.
Remember, they are doing it out of love,
as a messenger from God.
God will use us to look after each other.
當我們收到別人的提醒時，
我們應該誠實檢視自己，思考任何引起注意的事情，
並與神合作，讓自己變得更好。
我們還應該支持自已的屬靈同伴，留心照料他們和他們的信仰。
記住，他們的提醒是出於愛心，
作為神的使者。
神會使用我們來照顧彼此。
Many students experience loneliness at some point in their university journey,
especially as children of God who do not conform to the world.
Some of our fellow students may indulge in drinking, partying, and worldly chatter.
If we do not have any other brothers- and sisters-in-Christ at our university,
we may feel lonely in our journey of faith.
However, we can still be spiritual companions for others
even if we are physically apart.
We can do this by meeting virtually
and sharing through online fellowships, prayer groups, and Bible studies.
We are all part of the body of Christ,
and every member contributes to the growth and edification of the whole
(Eph 4:15–16).
在大學旅程的某個時刻，許多學生會感到孤獨，
尤其是作為神的兒女，要不效法世界。
我們有一些同學，可能沉迷於酗酒、派對和世俗的閒聊。
如果我們大學裡，沒有其他基督裡的弟兄姊妹，
在信仰的旅途中，就可能會感到孤獨。
然而，我們仍然可以成為他人的屬靈同伴，
即使我們肉體並沒有聚在一起。
我們可以彼此通過網路見面，
並且用網路團契，禱告小組和研經一起分享。
我們都是基督的肢體，
每個信徒都可以為整體的成長和造就，付出心力有所貢獻
（弗 4：15-16）。
We can start by building spiritual relationships within our youth fellowships.
I observed that youths may spend a lot of time together
and know about each other’s lives yet understand little about each other’s spirituality.
We must prioritize fruitful and edifying discussion
over worldly chatter to build spiritual relationships.
We must have the willingness to be open about our faith to others.
This may involve sharing during fellowship meals
or creating a group message chat for encouragement during the week.
我們可以開始從在青年團契中建立屬靈關係。
我觀察到，年輕人可能會花很多時間在一起，
了解彼此的生活，卻對彼此的靈性知之甚少。
我們必須優先談論有意義和具啟發性的話題，
來建立屬靈的關係，而不是世俗的閒談。
我們必須樂願向別人展現自已的信仰。
這可能涉及在團契用餐期間的分享，
或是周間時，有創建群組訊息聊天頻道，能獲得鼓勵。
POST-EXAMINATION: RENEWING OURSELVES 新增審查：更新自已
Once we have identified our spiritually unhealthy habits,
we must change them.
The elder James reminds us to be doers, not just hearers, of the word
(Jas 1:22–25).
If we have learned something new about our faith,
we must rectify it by taking action to improve ourselves
so that our lives more closely reflect God’s standard.
If we neglect to act upon what God has revealed to us,
we are just like the man who observes himself in the mirror and,
when he goes away, immediately forgets what kind of man he is.
一旦我們認出自已屬靈不好的習慣，
我們必須要改變它們。
雅各長老提醒我們，聽道要行道，不要單單聽道
（雅 1：22-25）。
如果我們信仰上，有學到新東西，
就必須採取行動來改正，來提昇自已，
這樣我們的生活，可以更貼近神的標準。
如果神已經向我們啟示，而我們卻忽視它而不行動，
我們就像人，在鏡子裡觀察自己，
一走開，立刻就忘記了他自己是個什麼樣子的人。
Sometimes we can be unknowingly influenced by the things of this world,
especially within an unfamiliar environment such as a university.
Adopting a reflective attitude towards my faith has helped me grow
and discover areas I need to improve.
Doing so has allowed me to honestly assess
whether I am fully obeying God’s word
or if there are parts of me that deny or disobey Him.
I have truly felt His abidance and blessings
when I work to improve my spiritual health.
有時候，我們會在不知不覺中，被這個世界的事物所影響，
尤其是在大學等不熟悉的環境中。
對我的信仰採取反省態度，會幫助我成長，
並發現那些我需要改進的地方。
這樣做，讓我能夠誠實評估，
我有沒有完全順服神的話語，
或者，是否我有某些部分，背棄或不順服祂。
當我努力提昇自已屬靈的健康時，
就真的會感受到祂的同在和祝福。
Today, we are walking this faith journey in a world
where temptation and sin lurk around every corner.
To protect us, God has instructed us to pay close attention to ourselves,
that we may be kept in His promise
and continue to be built up in our faith.
To maintain our spiritual health,
we need to cultivate a life of honest reflection on our faith,
while allowing God’s word to examine us.
Remember, we are not alone on this journey.
God has prepared for us spiritual companions.
It is our holy duty to look out for each other’s spiritual health.
今日，我們在這個世界，進行信仰之旅，
到處都是誘惑和罪惡，潛伏在每個角落。
為了保護自已，禪指示我們要密切關注自己，
使我們可以保守在祂的應許中，
並繼續在我們的信仰中建造成長。
為了維持自已的屬靈健康，
我們需要培養出一種誠實反思自已的信仰生活，
同時讓神的話語來檢驗我們。
請記住，在這段旅程中，我們並不孤單。
神已經為我們預備了屬靈的同伴。
照顧彼此的屬靈健康，是我們的神聖職責。
Adopting good spiritual habits can be difficult at first,
but as long as we are willing to change,
God will work with us and bless us even more extensively.
一開始很難養成良好的屬靈習慣，
但只要我們願意改變，
神就會與我們同工，會更大大的祝福我們。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入翻譯
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