0. Manna issue 92 - Editorial_Be Rooted and Grow in Turbulent Times 紮好根基於動盪時代中成長
Marian Shek—Leicester, UK 英國萊斯特
The idea for this youth-focused special issue was conceived pre-pandemic,
in a seemingly simpler time,
before the words “unprecedented” and “coronavirus” entered the daily discussions of ordinary people.
Now, this issue is emerging into a landscape
more challenging and complex than we could have imagined.
It has been unequivocally shaped by the pandemic
and the many forces that have risen in concert with it.
The same can be said of the generation of youths who are now coming of age.
While the Omicron variant has signaled the shift
to a new, endemic phase for this disease in many countries
—as we learn to live with the virus
—if the last two years have taught us anything,
it is that the situation can change in a heartbeat.
Natural disasters, environmental devastation, conflicts, political unrest, divisions and disparities,
will continue to upend the certainties that past generations trusted in (Mk 13:7–8).
At the same time, the internet and social media have accelerated trend cycles,
blurred the lines between truth, fiction and misinformation,
and heightened the tenor of social discourse,
causing massive shifts and schisms in social attitudes.
This constantly churning world is one that our youth must navigate
while undergoing the disorienting mental and physiological changes of adolescence,
typified by risk-taking behaviors, novelty seeking,
and an increased focus on peer relationships and how one is perceived by others.[1]
這個以青年為重心的特刊的想法，是疫情之前所構思的，
那時看似是一個很單純的時間而已，
卻發生在“史無前例”和“冠狀病毒”這兩個詞，出現在普通人日常閒話家常的話題之前。
如今，這個問題正在浮現，成為一種普遍的情況，
問是比我們想像中的，更加因難和複雜。
它已經因為受到疫情的影響，而不是模糊不清，
以及有許多影響力，已經與疫情同時出現。
對於那些即將成年的年輕世代來說，也是如此。
雖然 Omicron 變種病毒，在許多國家已經預示了轉變，
會使這種疾病進入一個新各地流行的階段，
—當我們學會與病毒共存時
—如果過去兩年教我們學會了什麼事，
就是，情況可以在瞬間改變。
自然災害、環境破壞、人類衝突、政治動盪、分裂和分歧，
將繼續顛覆過去世代所信賴的確定性（可 13：7-8）。
與此同時，網路和社群媒體加速了潮流的周期，
模糊了真理、虛構和假訊息之間的界限，
並強調社會論述的意見風向，
造成社會態度的巨大轉變和分裂。
這個不斷翻騰的世界，是我們的青年必須穿越的世界，
此時正是，青春期自我迷失的心理生理變化，正在進行，
特徵是，進行冒險行為、尋求新奇事物，
並逐漸關注朋友間的關係，以及別人是如何看待自已。 [1]
Amid such a maelstrom of pressures and influences,
how can our True Jesus Church youth maintain their faith
—to Be Rooted and Grow?
身處於這樣的壓力和衝擊的大漩渦中，
我們真耶穌教會的青年，如何才能保持他們的信仰，
—可以好好紮根成長呢？
Throughout the process of putting this issue together,
as the world transformed around us,
the relevance of the theme we chose three years ago has become all the clearer,
thus revealing the timeless truth of God’s word.
Though the youth must adapt to the challenges of this strange new world,
we do well to remember that we are not of the world,
and that our Lord Jesus has overcome this world
(Jn 17:15–16, 16:33).
Jesus Christ, and His message, remains the same
(Heb 13:8),
no matter how the world evolves.
隨著整合這個主題的過程中，
此時我們周圍的世界已經發生轉變，
我們三年前選擇主題的相關性，已變得更加清晰，
從而顯露了真神話語真理的永恆不變。
雖然青年必須適應這個陌生新世界的挑戰，
我們最好記住，自已是不屬於這個世界的，
並且我們的主耶穌已經勝過了這個世界
(約 17：15-16, 16：33)。
耶穌基督，和祂的信息，保持不變
（來 13：8），
無論世界會如何發展。
This issue discusses how young believers can become rooted and grow in Christ through three sub-themes:
Plant Firm Roots, Nurture Growth, and Bear Fruit.
We have also experimented with design, digestible formats and infographic-style features,
as well as addressing topics ranging from pop culture,
to mental health, and stepping into independence,
to speak more directly to our Gen-Z readers.
本期通過三個副主題，討論年輕信徒如何在基督裡生根和成長：
植物根深蒂固，得到滋養生長，結出果實。
我們還嘗試了實驗性質的新設計、編排出易於理解的格式，和採用重點資訊圖表風格的各種功能，
以及探討許多主題，內容涉及流行文化，
心理健康，開始踏入自我獨立，
與我們的 Z 世代讀者群，更直接的溝通。
The youth have a vital role to play within church, within their families, and within society
—they are to be like the tree of life bearing fruits of righteousness and bringing healing to the nations
(Ezek 47:12; Rev 22:2; 2 Cor 9:10; Eph 5:9).
To do so, they must be securely rooted in the truth,
watered and revitalized by the pure waters of God’s Holy Spirit,
and nourished through an intimate connection with Christ
—the true vine
—and His church
(Col 2:6–8; Ezek 47:1–12; Rev 22:1; Jn 7:37–39; Jn 15:1–8; Eph 3:8–19).
在教會、家庭和社會中，青年具有著重要的角色，
—他們要像生命樹一樣，結出公義的果子，醫治萬國
（結 47：12；啟 22：2；2 哥林多前書 9：10；弗 5：9）。
為此，他們必須牢牢紮根於真理中，
以神聖靈的純淨水，好好澆灌，並恢復活力，
並通過與基督的親密聯繫，而得到滋養，
—成為真正的葡萄樹
—成為神的教會
（西 2：6-8；結 47：1-12；啟 22：1；約 7：37-39；約 15：1-8；弗 3：8-19）。
Giving a plant the proper care and growing conditions
allows it to develop strong roots and thrive.
Do we take the same amount of care to nurture the faith of our youth?
If we are a youth, do we cultivate ourselves
and ensure that we are firmly rooted in the truth?
If we do, then our young saplings in faith will grow strong enough
to withstand whatever winds and storms this life may bring,
to flourish in the courts of God and bear fruit into old age
(Ps 92:12–14).
若給植物提供適當的照顧和良好的生長條件，
使它能夠根深蒂固，並茁壯成長。
我們是否花費同樣的心力，來培養青年的信心呢？
如果我們是年輕人，有沒有自我靈修，
確保自已牢牢紮根於真理中？
如果我們有這樣做，那麼我們信仰的小幼苗，就能成長的足夠強壯，
可以抵擋今生可能遇到的任何風浪，
而能在神的園中，發達興旺，結果子到老
（詩 92：12-14）。
[1] “Adolescence,” Psychology Today, accessed February 20, 2022,
https://www/psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adolescence.
[1] “青春期”，今日心理學，2022 年 2 月 20 日取得資料，
https://www/psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/adolescence
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