3. Manna issue 95 - Time to Say Goodbye 道別的時刻
Daniel Chin—Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 馬來西亞吉隆坡
Editor's note:
This article is adapted from an encouragement given during a church service
soon after the passing of Sister Mei Ling Chen in Buenos Aires
to remind us to reflect on and treasure the life and grace God has given us.
編輯評論：
本文取自教會禮拜時的勉勵，
在布宜諾斯艾利斯 Mei Ling Chen 姐妹去世後不久，
提醒我們反省並珍惜神給我們的生命和恩典。
The passing of a loved one can be hard to accept.
When we hear such sad news,
we are often overwhelmed by a maelstrom of emotions
as we recall our last meeting and unearth memories of our time spent with the deceased.
親人的過世可能令人難以接受。
當我們聽到如此悲傷的訊息時，
我們常常被情緒的漩渦淹沒，
當我們回憶起自已最後一次會面，及回想起自已與逝世親人一起度過的時光。
Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that there is a season for everything,
a time for every purpose under heaven.
The examples in the following passage encompass joys and griefs,
partings and reunions, and the ups and downs of life
(Eccl 3:2–8).
This passage emphasizes that everything under heaven has its season.
These events, both the sublime and sorrowful,
will all pass and come to their end.
And one day, it will be our turn to say goodbye.
傳道書 3 章 1 節告訴我們，凡事都有定期，
天下萬事皆有定時。
以下這段經文的例子，包含了歡樂和悲傷，
離別與重逢，人生的起起伏伏
（傳 3：2-8）。
這段話強調，天下萬物都有定期。
這些事件，又莊嚴且哀傷，
一切都會過去並到達終點。
有一天，將輪到我們道別。
From the perspective of eternity,
our entire life is a process of saying goodbye.
Some lives end after a brief existence;
some end before seeing the sunlight.
This realization prompts us to reflect on how we will spend our days
before our ordained time on earth is over.
從永恆的角度來看，
我們的一生就是一次告別的過程。
有些生命在短暫存在後就結束了。
有些生命看到陽光之前就結束了。
這種認知促使我們反省自已要如何度日子，
在我們世上的預定時間結束之前。
We can gain insight from the final words and wishes of those
who know it is their time to say goodbye,
especially those faithful individuals in the Bible and in our lives.
What can we learn about living a meaningful life before it is our turn to say goodbye?
我們可以從那些人最後的話語和願望中獲得領悟，
他們知道是時候說再見，
尤其是聖經裡和我們生活中那些有信心的人物。
在輪到我們告別之前，我們所能學到的就是關於如何活出有意義的生命？
JOSEPH: WHERE IS YOUR HOME? 約瑟：何處是家鄉？
When Joseph knew his time was nearing its end,
he gave his family two prophecies and an instruction
(Gen 50:24–26).
Filled with the Spirit and God's word,
Joseph declared that God would surely visit them.
He knew that after he departed from the world,
his brothers and descendants would encounter suffering.
Speaking these words by faith,
he sought to reassure and remind them that God abides and will take care of them.
當約瑟知道他的時日即將結束時，
他給了家人兩個預言和一個指示
（創 50：24-26）。
因為得到聖靈充滿和神的話語，
約瑟宣佈神一定會眷顧他們。
他知道，自已離世之後，
他的兄弟和子孫將會遇到難。
憑著信心講出這些話，
他想要再次安撫並提醒他們，神一直都與他們同在，而且會照顧他們。
The second prophecy was that God would bring them out of Egypt.
With these words, Joseph reminded his brethren that Egypt was not their home.
When God's appointed time came,
God would bring them to His promised land.
This message rings true today.
Our place on earth is not our home.
God has already prepared for us an even better Canaan.
We cannot return there on our own,
but God will bring us there.
第二個預言是神會把他們帶出埃及。
約瑟用這些話，提醒他的眾弟兄，埃及不是他們的家。
當神所指定的時間到了，
神會帶他們到祂的應許之地。
這個訊息今天依然是正確的。
我們地上的住所並不是我們的家。
神已經為我們預備了更好的迦南地。
我們無法獨自回到那裡，
但神會帶我們到那裡。
Finally, Joseph instructed his brethren to carry his bones to the promised land.
He made them swear an oath that they would do so;
such was the seriousness of his request.
He had faith that God would bring these prophecies to pass
and strongly desired that his remains be buried in the promised land of God.
最後，約瑟吩咐他的弟兄把自已的屍骨帶到應許之地。
他逼他們起誓使他們會這樣做；
這就是他請求的嚴肅性。
他有信心，神會實現這些預言，
並強烈渴望自已的遺體可以埋葬在神的應許之地。
If we have the strength of faith that Joseph did,
we would also yearn to return to our heavenly home.
We sometimes live as though this world is our home.
We invest all that we have here in this world, and instead of rejoicing,
we feel sad at the thought of departing and returning to our heavenly home.
如果我們有約瑟那樣的信心力量，
我們也會渴望回到天家。
有時候我們活得好像這個世界就是我們的家。
我們把自已這個世界這裡所擁有的一切都投資下去，而不是很高興，
一想到要離世且回到天家，我們就感到悲傷。
A key insight and life lesson can be gained from the grand sweep of Genesis.
Genesis begins with the creation of the heavens and the earth but closes with a coffin.
Ever since humankind sinned and departed from God,
no matter how hard we work or how high we climb in society,
what remains in the end is our coffin.
We cannot take with us anything from this world.
This is the vanity of life:
it is filled with sorrows and toil,
and no alternative ending exists.
從創世記的整個篇幅中，可以獲得重要的智慧和人生的教訓。
創世記以創造天地開始，卻以棺槨作結束。
自從人類犯罪並且遠離神以來，
無論我們工作多麼努力，無論我們社會的地位爬得多高，
我們最後所剩下的，就是棺材了。
我們不能帶走這個世界上的任何事物。
這就是人生的虛空：
它充滿了悲傷和辛勞，
並不存在其他結局。
When I was young, I chased animals for fun.
As I came of age,
I was captivated by the search for my ideal wife
—a beautiful woman with long flowing hair gently blowing in the breeze.
In middle age, we tend to be more mature and practical.
People are preoccupied with the pursuit of fame, wealth, and success.
In our dotage, we may still desire similar things
but no longer have the strength to chase them.
We gradually become indifferent and disinterested in many things
and may find our enjoyment of life diminishing.
At the end of our lives, the only pursuit left is the coffin.
當我年輕的時候，我以追逐動物為樂。
當我成年後，
我沉迷於尋找自已理想的妻子，
—是一位美麗的女子，長髮輕柔的隨風飄揚。
中年的時候，我們往往想要更成熟、更務實。
大家都很專注於追求名譽、財富和成功。
當我們年老時，我們可能還仍渴望類似的東西，
但不久就沒有力氣去追逐他們了。
我們漸漸對很多事情變得冷漠、不感興趣，
且可能會發現自已對生活的享樂正在減少。
在我們生命的盡頭，唯一剩下的追求就只有棺材。
Joseph, once a slave, rose to become a governor greater than all but Pharaoh.
He lived a glorious life,
yet what remained after Joseph's farewell was a coffin.
Joseph's body was placed in a coffin,
but this coffin was not entombed in Egypt
—it was only held there temporarily
until the children of Israel departed for the promised land.
As the children of God, our time on this earth is only temporary.
Elder John writes at the end of Revelation:
"Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"
(Rev 22:20b),
yearning to be taken away.
From Genesis to Revelation, there are many teachings,
but ultimately, our final request is for God to bring us home.
約瑟曾經是個奴隸，後來除了法老以外，成為比其他人更偉大的總督。
他活出輝煌的一生，
然而約瑟夫告別後留下的卻是一口棺材。
約瑟的遺體安置在棺材裡，
但是這口棺材並沒有埋葬在埃及，
—只是暫時放在那裡，
直到以色列百姓離去前往應許之地。
身為神的兒女，我們世上的時間只是暫時的。
約翰長老在啟示錄的結尾寫道：
“主耶穌阿，我願你來！”
（啟 22：20b），
渴望被帶走。
從創世記到啟示錄，有很多教訓，
但最終，我們最後的請求是求神帶自已回家。
Today, if our Lord Jesus were to say that it is our time to go home,
we would likely respond, "No, not yet,
I don't want to leave this world."
The young may say they have not lived enough.
But what of the old?
If our loved ones are ill or advanced in age,
we often beg the Lord not to call them away,
even if they are in great pain and need a considerable amount of care and medication.
In reality, we are selfish
—reluctant to let them go despite their suffering.
This response may be understandable
if we had no hope of the heavenly kingdom to come.
But since we have a better home awaiting us after this life,
let us embrace this hope with true faith, declaring, "Lord, I want to return home!"
今日，如果我們主耶穌說我們該回家了，
我們可能會回答：“不，還沒有吧，
我不想離開這個世界。”
年輕人可能會說他們活得還不夠。
但年長者呢？
如果我們所愛之人生病了，或是年事已高，
我們常常求主不要帶他們走，
即使他們承受著巨大的痛苦，並且需要大量的照護和藥物。
事實上，我們都很自私，
—儘管他們承受痛苦，但仍不願意讓他們離開。
這種回應或許可以理解，
如果我們沒有未來天國盼望的話。
但既然來世我們有更好的家鄉等著我們，
讓我們以真信心擁抱這個盼望，宣告：“主啊，我要回家！”
JACOB: WHAT ARE YOU GRASPING FOR? 約伯：你正在攫取何物？
Hebrews describes what Jacob did when his death was approaching:
希伯來書描述了雅各在他死前所做的事情：
By faith Jacob, when he was dying,
blessed each of the sons of Joseph,
and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
(Heb 11:21)
21雅各因著信，臨死的時候，
給約瑟的兩個兒子各自祝福，
扶著杖頭敬拜神。
（來 11：21）
He fulfilled his responsibilities towards man and God before he departed.
Firstly, he blessed Joseph's sons.
在他離世之前，他履行了自已對人與神的責任。
首先，他祝福約瑟的兒子們。
Jacob's life was full of ups and downs.
He experienced the great sorrows of human life
—fear, strife, exploitation, and alienation
—and escaped death on several occasions.
Separately, his brother and father-in-law sought to kill him.
When he fled back to Canaan,
he faced more trouble from the nations around him.
雅各的一生充滿了坎坷。
他經歷了人生的巨大悲痛，
—恐懼、衝突、剝削與離異，
—並且多次場合逃離死亡。
另外，他的兄弟和岳父想要殺死他。
當他逃回迦南地，
面臨著來自周圍國家的更多麻煩紛爭。
This was Jacob's life.
If not for the many times God appeared and saved him,
he would have died sooner.
His life was full of labor and sorrow
(Gen 47:9).
To marry Rachel, he had to work fourteen years in total.
Laban cheated him several times.
After Jacob established his family,
there were many conflicts and a lack of peace in his household.
His children harmed and sold Joseph, told their father a pack of lies,
and did many things that brought Jacob great shame.
Who would consider this a happy or successful life?
這就是雅各的生活。
若不是神多次顯現拯救他，
他很早就死掉了。
他的一生充滿了勞苦和悲傷
（創 47：9）。
為了娶拉結，他總共要工作十四年。
拉班騙了他很多次。
雅各建立自已的家庭後，
他的家裡有很多衝突，沒有和平。
他的孩子們傷害約瑟而且賣了他，對他們父親說了一大堆謊言，
並做了許多使雅各蒙羞的事情。
誰會認為這是幸福或成功的生活呢？
When we consider how Jacob blessed others,
we can see the great pain and sorrows he experienced.
His whole life was marked with scars and bruises.
His heart sustained the greatest injuries.
當我們思考雅各如何祝福別人時，
我們可以看到，他所經歷的巨大痛苦和悲傷。
他的一生都充滿了疤痕和傷痕。
他的內心受到了最大的傷害。
Jacob shed blood, sweat, and tears to gain blessings in his life.
He managed to achieve success before he departed this world.
At that point, he blessed others.
He no longer harbored hatred, complaints, or dissatisfaction.
While most of his life had been filled with conflicts and negativity,
he chose to bless others in the time he had left,
hoping they may be happy, satisfied, and at peace.
雅各流血、流汗、流淚，才獲得了生命的祝福。
在離世界之前，他想要努力取得成功。
在那一刻，他祝福了其他人。
他不再懷有仇恨、抱怨或不滿。
雖然他的一生的大部分都充滿了衝突和消極，
在他離世的時候，他選擇去祝福別人，
希望他們可以幸福、滿足、平安。
As long as we are still alive, we can make the same choice as Jacob.
Let us choose to bless others.
Let us not continue to harbor grudges, anger, or resentment.
There is a saying: if man can only choose something to remember,
he would choose gratitude.
Choose to remember the good things and be grateful.
Before our time is up, if we can say anything,
say, "Thank you."
只要我們還活著，我們就可做出和雅各一樣的選擇。
讓我們選擇祝福他人。
讓我們不要繼續心懷不滿、憤怒或怨恨。
俗語說：如果人只能選擇記住一些事情，
他會選擇感恩。
選擇記住美好的事物，並且心存感激。
在我們的時間結束之前，如果我們能說些什麼的話，
就說，“謝謝。”
According to Hebrews 11:21,
the second thing Jacob did was to lean on the top of his staff to worship the true God.
This was Jacob's success, his true faith.
Earlier in his life, he grasped onto wealth and wronged many people.
He used any means possible
—even unscrupulous ones
—to obtain what he wanted.
Jacob succeeded in the end
because he put aside the things of the world and grasped hold of God.
Before he died, he gripped his staff to bow and worship God.
Are our lives similar to Jacob's earlier life or Jacob's end of life?
根據希伯來書 11 章 21 節，
雅各所做的第二件事，就是拄著拐杖敬拜真神。
這就是雅各的成功，他真正的信心。
他年輕時，努力攫取財富，沒有善待許多人。
他用盡一切可能的手段，
—即使各種不擇手段，
—得到他想要的東西。
雅各最終成功了，
因為他拋棄世俗的事物，抓住神。
臨終前，他拄著拐杖，鞠躬敬拜神。
我們的生活是與雅各的早期生活，或是雅各的晚年相似呢？
In his old age, Jacob relied on a staff to support him.
We may think, in his frailty,
it would be acceptable for Jacob to lie down and worship God.
Instead, Jacob wanted to use his remaining strength and vigor to give his best to God.
The Bible says that he leaned on his staff to worship God,
and he was received back by God.
This is the most beautiful and successful ending one can have in one's faith.
晚年時，雅各靠拐杖來支撐自已。
我們可能會想，在他軟弱時，
雅各躺著敬拜神是可以接受的。
相反的，雅各想用他剩餘的力量和精力將最好的獻給神。
聖經說，他靠著拐杖敬拜神，
他被神接回了。
這是個人信仰所能擁有最美麗、最成功的結局。
After clinging to the world for most of his life, Jacob understood.
Towards the end of his life, he clung to the Lord.
While he had breath, he wanted to worship the Lord with the correct mindset,
not just offering the minimum.
He used his best to truly worship God.
This was what Jacob did when it was time for him to say goodbye
—another example of the victorious faith of the saints.
大半輩子都親近這個世界之後，雅各終於明白了。
直到他生命的終點，他緊緊抓住主。
當他還有一口氣的時候，他要用正確的心態來敬拜主，
不會僅獻上最小的。
他盡力來真正敬拜神。
這就是雅各告別時的行為，
—是聖徒得勝信心的另一個例子。
A FATHER'S CONCERN FOR THE CHURCH 父親擔憂教會
At the end of his life, a brother gave a final instruction to his son.
With his last breath, he said,
"Do not let the church run out of money."
Though unusual to us, these dying words must have touched God's heart.
在他生命的最後時刻，有一位弟兄給兒子最後的指示。
用了最後一口氣他說：
“不要讓教會耗盡資金。”
雖然對我們來說很不尋常，但這些臨終之言一定觸動了神的內心。
At that time, the church was quite poor.
Many members lived in large, beautiful houses,
but the church building was dilapidated.
The chairs in the church were torn and tattered.
Every purchase the church planned was disputed over by the members,
so the church would end up buying the cheapest, and least durable, option.
All the while, members would not hesitate to buy the best quality for their own households.
那時，教會相當貧困。
許多信徒卻住在又大又美的房子裡，
但教會建築卻已破舊不堪。
教會的椅子都破爛不堪。
每一項教會計劃的購買都會讓信徒起爭議，
所以教會最後會買最便宜、最不耐用的選項。
一直以來，很多信徒都不會猶豫為自己的家庭購買最好的品質。
This state of affairs weighed heavily on the father's heart.
Why did he leave this specific instruction for his son?
Because he knew his son's life was very comfortable.
Some people may encourage others to love God and offer more
but avoid admonishing their own children to do so.
This father used what remained of his strength
to encourage his son to love God more and to offer more.
這種事件的狀況，讓父親的內心沉重無比。
為什麼他要給兒子留下這樣的具體指示呢？
因為他知道兒子的日子過得很安逸。
有些人可能會鼓勵別人愛神並獻上更多，
卻會避免勸勉自己的孩子去這樣做。
這位父親用盡了自已僅存的力量，
鼓勵兒子要更愛神且奉獻更多。
Alongside this example, I add further encouragement to my children:
other than ensuring that the church does not run out of money,
you should do your part so that the church does not run out of people.
除了這個例子之外，我還給自已的子女進一步的鼓勵：
除了要確保教會不會耗盡資金之外，
你應該盡自己的力量，這樣教會就不會缺人。
I received news that our church in a certain country was conducting a spiritual convocation,
and only ten people showed up—nine members and one truth-seeker.
I was so shocked that I could not sleep!
This church was not in a village but in a thriving city with affluent church members.
我得到訊息，我們某國的教會正在舉行靈恩會，
而且只有十個人出席─九位信徒和一位慕道者。
我震驚的無法入睡！
這間教會不是位於一個村莊，而是位在一個擁有富裕教會信徒的繁華城市。
If we attend church faithfully with our family,
there will always be people in God's church.
We must do our part to remain within God's grace
and bring up our children in the Lord.
As our family grows, so will the church,
meaning there will be more hands to serve
and more feet to spread the gospel.
Thus, God's family will increase.
Let us have the same heart as this brother and help the church flourish,
both financially and in human resources.
如果我們和家人一起忠實的去教會，
神的教會就永遠會有人。
我們必須盡自己的力量來留在神的恩典中，
並在主裡養育自已的孩子。
隨著我們家庭的成長，教會也會成長，
就代表了將會有更多的人手可以服事，
以及更多隻腳走出去傳福音。
這樣，神的家庭就會變大。
讓我們與這位弟兄有一樣的心志，可以去幫助教會蓬勃發展，
投入無論是財力還是人力。
A MOTHER'S CONCERN FOR YOUR SOUL 母親擔憂你的靈命
There was a sister who, as her end approached,
repeatedly gave her final instructions to her son.
Whenever her son visited her, she would say,
"You must go to church."
At first, her son did not heed his mother.
After all, he had not attended church for over twenty years.
This mother could only say,
"Your mother is about to depart.
While I can still speak, I must instruct you in this matter.
Listen to your mother's advice;
let your mother leave in peace.
I do not have many worries for you, only for your soul.
You must go to church."
有一位姊妹，當她生命盡頭臨近時，
多次給予她兒子最後的指示。
無論何時她兒子來探望她，她都會說：
“你必須去教會。”
起初，她兒子並沒有理會自已的母親。
畢竟，他已經二十多年沒有去教會了。
這位母親只能說，
“你媽媽將要走了。
趁著我還能說話，我必須指教你這件事。
聽聽媽媽的勸誡；
讓你媽可以平安離世。
我對你沒有太多擔憂，只為你的靈魂擔心。
你必須要去教會。”
Her son continued to give excuses and soothing words to appease her.
But on her last day on earth,
after the doctors had informed them she did not have long left,
her son saw tears falling from her eyes.
He leaned in close to ask his mother what was troubling her.
She summoned her energy and uttered her final word,
"Church."
她兒子繼續用藉口和安慰的話來安撫她。
但在她世上的最後的日子，
在醫生告知他們，她的生命已經不久之後，
她兒子看到淚水從她的眼中流出。
他湊近母親，詢問她有什麼煩惱。
她鼓足了力氣，說出了最後一句話：
“教會。”
She had encouraged him to return to church many times,
yet he did not listen.
Thank God, her son still had his conscience and was moved by the Holy Spirit.
"Mother left me no instructions apart from this one.
Mother really loves my soul;
she really loves my life!
If I do not return to church and worship God,
how will I meet my mother in heaven?"
This son is now very zealous, serving God with his whole family.
她鼓勵兒子回到教會很多次了，
但他卻不聽。
感謝神，兒子仍然還有良心，得到聖靈感動。
“除了這句託負以外，母親沒有給我留下任何指示。
母親真的很疼愛我的靈魂；
她真的很愛惜我的生命！
如果我沒有回到教會敬拜神，
我要怎樣作才能在天堂見到媽媽呢？”
這位兒子現在非常的熱心，和全家一起事奉神。
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST: IT IS DONE! 主耶穌基督：成了！
Before our Lord Jesus Christ breathed His last,
He said, "It is finished!"
(Jn 19:30),
which means "I have accomplished."
Many in the world judged Him to be a failure.
To those already skeptical about His proclamations before He was crucified,
His death certainly added more doubt to His identity.
Even His apostles, who had followed Him for three years, deserted Him.
Yet, when it was Jesus' time to say farewell,
He declared that He had finished His work.
在我們主耶穌基督嚥下最後一口氣之前，
祂說：“成了！”
（約 19：30），
這句話的意思就是，“我已經完成了”。
世上許多人都認為他是個失敗者。
在他被釘十字架之前，對於那些就已經懷疑祂宣告的人來說，
他的死已無疑給祂的身分增加更多的疑問。
甚至祂的門徒，他們已經跟隨了三年，也離棄了祂。
然而，當耶穌告別的時刻來到，
祂宣告自已已經完成了祂的工作。
When it is our time to say goodbye,
we hope to be able to profess this simple yet profound sentiment.
The second coming of Jesus is near.
Our Lord Jesus brings home all who are holy, love God, and faithfully serve Him.
One by one, they are being brought to their heavenly home.
當我們要說再見的時候，
我們希望能夠表達這種簡單而深刻的情感。
耶穌的再臨已經接近了。
我們主耶穌會將所有聖潔，愛神，忠心事奉祂的人帶回天家。
他們一個接一個，會被帶回天家。
What more for those of us who remain in this world?
Are we dwelling on conflicts, envy, anger, or complaints?
When a faithful worker departs to receive glory and blessing,
we lose a prayerful worker who interceded daily for the church.
How should we, who remain, focus our prayers?
對於我們這些還留在這個世上的人來說，還有什麼事呢？
我們是否沉浸在衝突，嫉妒，憤怒或抱怨之中呢？
當一位忠心的工人離世，去接受榮耀和祝福之時，
我們就失去了一位每天為教會代禱的虔誠工人。
我這這些剩下的人，該如何專心禱告呢？
If the church is not in one's heart,
he will be indifferent to the church's concerns.
If there is a lack of workers or resources,
he may feel it has nothing to do with him.
如果一個人的心裡沒有教會，
他就會對教會涉及的事物漠不關心。
如果缺少工人或資源，
他可能會覺得這與他無關。
As we reflect upon our heavenly hope, let us repent and begin anew.
Let us not only think about money, business, or our enjoyment in life.
Let us change and consider how we can love Jesus,
care for the church, and serve one another.
If we do so, our faith, the faith of our family,
and of the church will grow abundantly.
隨著我們反省自已屬天的盼望時，讓我們悔改且重新開始。
讓我們不只思考生活的金錢，事業或享受。
讓我們改變且思考如何愛耶穌，
關心教會，互相服事。
如果我們這樣做，我們的信仰，我們家人的信仰，
教會的信仰就會大大增加。
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely;
and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Thess 5:23)
23願賜平安的神親自使你們全然成聖！又
願你們的靈與魂與身子得蒙保守，在我主耶穌基督降臨的時候，完全無可指摘！
（帖前 5：23）
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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