6. Manna issue 95 - The Secret to Living a Joyful Life 喜樂度日的秘密
Vuthy Nol-Mantia—Pacifica, California, USA 美國加州太平洋教會
According to the World Health Organization,
more than 700,000 people die by suicide every year.[1]
Every forty seconds, someone somewhere in this world has taken their own life.
And those who die by suicide are not only the poor, sick, and destitute;
suicide affects people of all incomes and backgrounds,
even those leading seemingly comfortable lives.
Despite everything they own and the loved ones they have around them,
some people are overwhelmed by mental anguish
or a sense of ennui and meaninglessness.
As Christians and God's chosen people,
do we also find the shadow of depression hanging heavy over us?
Are there times we are unable to view life with wonderment and find joy in our lives?
據世界衛生組織公佈，
每年有超過 70 萬人死於自殺。[1]
每四十秒，世界上某個地方就會有人結束自己的生命。
那些自殺身亡的人不僅是窮人、病人和赤貧者，
自殺會影響各種收入和背景的人，
即使是那些過著看似舒適生活的人。
儘管他們擁有一切，身邊也有親人圍繞，
有些人被精神痛苦壓垮，
或者有一種厭倦和無意義的感覺。
作為基督徒與神的選民，
我們是否也發現憂鬱的陰影籠罩著我們？
是否有時我們無法以驚奇的眼光看待生活，並在生活中找到快樂呢？
FINDING JOY THROUGH CONTENTMENT IN THE LORD 主裡知足得到喜樂
With each passing year and each fresh reading of Psalm 23,
the words strike a deeper chord within me,
and I can understand and appreciate life more.
King David opened the psalm with these words:
隨著歲月的流逝和每次新讀詩篇 23 篇，
這些話語觸動了我更深的心弦，
我就能更加理解和珍惜生活。
大衛王在詩篇的開頭這樣寫道：
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
(Ps 23:1)
1耶和華是我的牧者，
我必不致缺乏。
（詩 23：1）
Comparing the lives of King David and his son Solomon,
we find that David did not have the wisdom, riches, and glory Solomon had.
On the contrary, David's life was filled with conflict, trials, and tribulations.
Yet, after all he endured,
David concluded that the Lord was his Shepherd
and he would not be in want (or be found in want).
On the other hand, Solomon had peace and obtained wisdom, riches, and glory
—all he had ever sought.
But ironically, toward the end of his life,
he proclaimed that it was all vanity;
he found that everything he had gained was empty and hollow.
Despite all his attainments, Solomon found himself in want at the end of his life.
Reflecting on the lives of these two kings, father and son,
the secret to a meaningful and joyful life is revealed with the line,
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."
When we make the Lord Jesus Christ our Shepherd,
we will feel no want within our hearts.
比較大衛王和他兒子所羅門王的生活，
我們發現，大衛沒有所羅門所擁有的智慧、財富和榮耀。
相反的，大衛的一生充滿了衝突、考驗和磨難。
然而，在他忍受了一切之後，
大衛得出結論，耶和華是他的牧者
他將不會缺乏（或被發現匱乏）。
另一方面，所羅門有平安，得著智慧、財富和榮耀。
—就是他所追求的一切。
但諷刺的是，在他生命最後的時刻，
他宣稱這一切都是虛空。
他發現，自己獲得的一切都是空虛的。
儘管有一切的成就，但是所羅門王自已在生命最後的時刻卻發現自己很缺乏。
反思這兩位君王父子的一生，
這句話顯出了有意義和喜樂生活的秘密，
“耶和華是我的牧者，我必不致缺乏。”
當我們以主耶穌基督作為自已的牧者時，
我們的內心就不會感到缺乏。
There is nothing wrong with wanting something.
We all have things we find pleasurable
—it is a blessing from God to enjoy good food
or walk along the sandy beach and admire the shore's natural beauty.
Pleasures become wrong
only when our desire for them starts to overwhelm everything else in our lives.
Too often, we see people consumed by their wants and desires.
That is why they cannot be happy
—they always want more.
As Christians, we can live joyful lives
if we curb our desires and are contented with what we have.
We know that, for richer or poorer,
all that we have are God's blessings
(Mt 6:31–34).
We can be content, trusting that God will sufficiently provide for us
so we can lead meaningful and joyful lives.
想要擁有某樣東西並沒有什麼錯。
我們都會有自已覺得喜歡的事物，
—可以享受美食是神的祝福，
或是沿著沙灘漫步，欣賞海岸的自然美景。
享樂變得不好，
只有當我們享樂的慾望，開始超過自已生活的其他一切事情。
我們常常看到有人被自己的需求和慾望所吞噬。
這就是為什麼他們不能快樂，
—他們總是想要的更多。
身為基督徒，我們可以過喜樂的生活，
如果我們克制自己的慾望，並且滿足於自已所擁有的事物。
我們知道，無論是貧富，
自已所擁有的一切都是神的祝福
（太 6：31-34）。
我們可以滿足，信靠神會充分為我們預備，
這樣我們才能過著有意義快樂的生活。
My wife had always wanted to run a coffee shop,
so when we moved to Dallas,
she changed careers and opened a restaurant with our niece.
The early days of establishing the business were stressful:
they were doing renovations, procuring city permits,
and frequently working from before daybreak till after midnight, all for meager returns.
The daily grind eventually caused them to become bitter
and disillusioned with their business venture,
which manifested in murmurings and complaints.
我妻子一直想開一家咖啡店，
所以當我們搬到達拉斯的時候，
她改變了職業，和侄女一起開了一家餐廳。
創業的初期壓力很大：
他們正在進行店面整修，獲得城市許可，
經常從天亮前工作到半夜後，但只為了微薄的回報。
每日的折磨最終讓他們感到痛苦，
對他們創業的夢想幻滅，
所以就表現出碎碎唸和抱怨。
When I had the opportunity,
I reminded them how blessed they are to be in their position
—not everyone who dreams of opening a restaurant or a coffee shop is able to.
A third of restaurants in the United States fail in their first year.
My wife and niece considered what I said and reflected on their accomplishments.
They recognized how blessed it was to establish a restaurant and work together daily.
This realization changed their perspective,
and now, even though they do not earn much,
they are more joyful and content.
當我有機會的時候，
我就提醒他們，他們能處於自己的情況是多麼的幸福，
—並不是每個夢想開一家餐廳或咖啡店的人都可以做到。
美國三分之一的餐廳開業第一年就倒閉了。
我的妻子和侄女思考了我所說的話，並反思了自已的成就。
他們認知到，可以建立一家餐廳並且每天一起工作是有多麼的幸福。
這種認識改變了他們的看法，
現在，儘管他們賺得不多，
他們更加快樂和滿足。
But God's blessings did not end there.
From the moment they opened the restaurant,
my wife and niece were determined to keep the Sabbath
and attend spiritual convocations,
so they closed their restaurant on Fridays and Saturdays.
Initially, their customers were confused
—why close during peak business hours?
But they eventually discovered that we are Sabbath-keeping Christians.
Now, the whole neighborhood knows the owner's husband is the pastor of a nearby church
—just up the hill, on the corner.
My wife receives visitors seeking God,
and I go to the restaurant to speak to them.
So, even though the restaurant does not make much money,
my wife and niece are much more content and joyful
because of their role in bringing the community together
and raising awareness of the True Jesus Church.
但神的祝福還不止於此。
從餐廳開幕的那一刻起，
我妻子和侄女決心遵守安息日ㄝ
並且參加靈恩會，
所以他們週五和週六關門。
一開始，他們的客戶感到困惑，
—為什麼營業尖峰時段關門呢？
但他們最終發現，我們是守安息日的基督徒。
現在，整個鄰居都知道，老闆的丈夫是附近教會的傳道人，
—就在山上，轉角處。
我妻子接待了尋求神的訪客，
然後我去餐廳和他們聊天。
所以，雖然餐廳賺的錢不多，
我妻子和姪女則更加滿足和快樂，
因為他們一起團結社區方面發揮了作用，
並提高大家認識真耶穌教會。
FINDING JOY IN PEACE AND REST IN THE LORD 主裡的寧靜安息得到喜樂
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
(Ps 23:2)
2他使我躺臥在青草地上，
領我在可安歇的水邊。
（詩 23：2）
David's depiction of the Shepherd making the sheep lie down is strange
—almost as though the Shepherd has to compel the sheep
to rest in the safety and comfort of the green pastures.
This is perhaps an apt reflection of our busy lives today,
where we do not know when to rest.
We work all our lives;
before we know it, we find ourselves aged and with one foot in the grave.
God knows we need to rest, and He teaches us to rest so we can enjoy our life.
大衛描述牧羊人讓羊躺下是很奇怪的，
—幾乎就好像牧羊人必須要強迫羊群，
在安舒的綠草牧場上休憩。
這也許是我們今日忙碌生活合宜的反應，
就好像我們都不知道什麼時候該休息了。
我們一生都在工作；
在不知不覺中，我們發現自己已經老了，有一隻腳已經邁進了墳墓。
神知道我們需要休息，祂教導我們要休息，好讓我們享受生活。
I love the outdoors.
I started planting trees and flowers in my backyard
to bring a bit of the outdoors closer to home.
When the plants began to thrive,
I was excited to enjoy the view with my wife and niece.
However, since they work long hours,
they do not notice the change in the backyard
or take the time to admire the flowers in full bloom.
When trapped in the daily grind,
we often forget to pause, quiet ourselves,
and notice the little things in life that bring us joy.
When we truly make the Lord Jesus Christ our Shepherd,
we have the blessing of Sabbath rest with which to quiet our hearts.
Only then can we see and appreciate the little things
that make our lives beautiful and blessed.
That is the secret to living a joyful life.
我喜歡戶外活動。
我開始在後院種植樹木和花卉，
讓一點戶外活動的氣息靠近家裡。
當植物開始茁壯生長時，
我很高興能與妻子和侄女一起欣賞美景。
但由於工作時間較長，
他們沒有注意到後院的變化
或留下時間去欣賞盛開的花朵。
當受困於日常生活的忙碌時，
我們常常忘記停歇，讓自己安靜下來，
去注意生活中的小事來帶給我們快樂。
當我們真正讓主耶穌基督成為我們的牧者時，
我們得到安息日安歇的祝福，可以讓我們內心安靜下來。
只有這樣，我們才能看見欣賞小事，
讓我們的生活變得美麗又幸福。
這就是快樂生活的秘訣。
FINDING JOY THROUGH RESTORATION IN THE LORD 主裡的恢復找到喜樂
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
(Ps 23:3)
3他使我的靈魂甦醒，
為自己的名引導我走義路。
（詩 23:3）
Of course, lying down in green pastures
and being led beside the still waters are blessings extending beyond life's physical aspects.
In the US, the average age of those who divorced in 2022
was forty-six for men and forty-four for women,[2]
and the divorce rates for those above fifty-five have been steadily rising for years.[3]
This is the age when many married couples
realize their dissatisfaction with each other and break up.
Perhaps their children have grown up and flown the nest,
leaving them to take stock of their relationship and what they want from life.
This demographic also spends more money upgrading their real estate and cars,
trading the old for the shiny and new.
This all suggests an overcompensation for the emptiness in their hearts and souls;
they grasp these things in vain, seeking meaning and joy in their lives.
As Christians, do we have the same sentiments,
or do we become more thankful with each passing year?
Do we feel our souls being restored every day?
當然，躺臥在綠色的牧場上，
被引導到靜水邊是祝福，超越生命物質方面。
在美國，2022 年離婚那些人的平均年齡是，
男性 46 歲，女性為 44 歲，[2]
五十五歲以上人群的離婚率，多年來持續上升。[3]
這個年紀有很多結婚的夫妻，
意識到彼此不滿並分手。
或許他們的孩子已經長大，飛離巢穴，
讓他們可以評估自已的關係，以及他們生活中想要從得到什麼。
這批人群也花費更多的金錢，升級自已的房地產和汽車，
以老舊換取閃亮新穎。
這一切都顯示因著他們內心和靈魂的空虛，而進行了過度填補；
他們白白抓住這些東西，在生活中尋找意義和快樂。
身為基督徒，我們是否也有同樣的感受呢？
或者我們是否會隨著流逝的歲月，而變得更加感恩呢？
我們是否感覺每天自己的靈魂都有恢復呢？
God restores our souls, but not through the vain acquisition of material possessions
or the temporary satisfaction of our lusts and desires.
When I visit people in the hospital,
no one talks about how much money they have or what car they own.
When we are on our deathbed, with our mortality in plain sight,
we will realize that our possessions and desires truly count for nothing.
All of us will undoubtedly die one day.
Hence, we ought to orient ourselves toward our true Shepherd,
who restores us through contentment, peace, and rest.
Moreover, we have comfort in knowing there is nothing to fear
when we die in Christ
because we will be restored to a blissful eternity with our Lord Jesus.
神會恢復我們的靈魂，但不是透過白負獲得物質財富，
或是暫時滿足我們的情慾和慾望。
當我去醫院探望別人時
沒有人會談論他們有多少錢或是擁有什麼汽車。
當我們臨終時，死亡就一目了然，
我們會了解，自已的財產和慾望真的沒有價值。
毫無疑問的，我們所有人有一天都會死去。
因此，我們應該朝向自已真正的牧者，
祂會經由滿足、平安和歇憩而使我們恢復。
此外，我們會感到安慰，因為知道沒有什麼好害怕的，
當我們在基督裡死去的時候，
因為我們將會與主耶穌一起回復到幸福的永生。
FINDING JOY DESPITE TRIBULATION THROUGH THE LORD 主裡的苦難得到喜樂
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
(Ps 23:4)
4我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷，也不怕遭害，
因為你與我同在；你的杖，你的竿，都安慰我。
（詩 23：4）
All Christians must walk through the valley of the shadow of death at some point in their lives.
Our thoughts and feelings reflect our relationship with Christ during those times.
In his psalm, David states that he will fear no evil.
Do we share that same attitude?
Despite all his difficulties,
David could see that God was always with him
and that God's rod and staff were always there
to safeguard him from the troubles surrounding him.
This is the same mentality with which we should face troubles and tribulations.
If we acknowledge that our Shepherd stands beside us,
we will not become despondently fixated on our suffering.
Instead, we will see the rod and staff of our Shepherd
gently guiding us out of the valley of the shadow of death.
在一生中的某個時刻，所有基督徒都必須走過死蔭幽谷。
在此時刻，我們的想法和感受就反應了自已與基督的關係。
大衛在詩篇中，他表示自已不會懼怕邪惡。
我們是否也有同樣的態度呢？
儘管他所遇到的種種困難，
大衛可以明白，神一直都與他同在，
神的杖和杆都永遠一直相伴，
可以保護他免受周圍的困難。
這就是相同的心態，在我們要面對困難和磨難的時候。
如果我們認清，自已的牧人就在身邊，
我們不會因為沮喪執著於自已的苦難。
相反的，我們會看著自已牧人的杖和杆，
溫柔的引導我們走出死亡的死蔭幽谷。
FINDING JOY IN VICTORY OVER OUR ENEMIES THROUGH THE LORD 主裡戰勝仇敵得到喜樂
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
(Ps 23:5)
5在我敵人面前，你為我擺設筵席；
你用油膏了我的頭，
使我的福杯滿溢。
（詩 23：5）
Being a Christian does not mean
that God will remove our enemies and free us from those who wish us harm.
David had many enemies throughout his life,
but he trusted in God, and God always gave him victory.
It is just the same for us.
God does not remove our enemies,
but He has prepared for our victory
—a seat with Him at the table of celebration before our enemies
—if we place our trust in Him.
The psalm goes on to depict the blessing that comes with victory
—our heads are anointed with oil, and our cup runs over.
The blessing that comes with trusting in God is bountiful
and greater than we can even comprehend.
成為基督徒並不是就代表，
神會消除我們的敵人，並且釋放我們脫離那些想要我們受傷的人。
大衛一生樹敵眾多，
但他信靠神，神亦總是給他得勝。
對我們來說也是一樣的。
神並沒有除去我們的敵人，
但他已經為我們準備好了的勝利，
—在我們敵人面前與祂同坐在慶祝桌上，
—如果我們信靠祂。
詩篇接著描繪了勝利帶來的祝福，
—我們頭上塗滿了膏油，我們的杯子滿溢。
信靠神所帶來的福氣是豐豐富富的，
甚至比我們所能理解的還要更加浩大。
FINDING JOY IN OUR ETERNAL HOPE IN THE LORD 主裡的永生盼望得到喜樂
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.
(Ps 23:6)
6我一生一世必有恩惠慈愛隨著我；我
且要住在耶和華的殿中，
直到永遠。
（詩 23：6）
The closing verse of Psalm 23 reminds us that no matter what we face today,
our ultimate goal is not found in this world.
Our goal is to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
If we can hold on to this thought fervently,
nothing in this world can faze us
because we know that whatever we possess or achieve on earth is fleeting.
The life to come, with our Lord Jesus Christ, is eternal.
Yes, we may suffer and have to walk through the valley of the shadow of death for a time.
Nevertheless, our finite years on earth are nothing compared to the infinite and bounteous blessings
our Lord Jesus Christ has prepared for us.
詩篇 23 篇的最後一節提醒我們，無論今日我們面臨什麼，
我們最終的目標並不存在於這個世界。
我們的目標是能夠永遠住在主的殿中。
如果我們能夠熱切的堅持這種想法，
這世界上沒有什麼可以讓我們煩惱，
因為我們知道，在地球上無論我們擁有什麼，或有什麼成就，一切都是短暫的。
與我們的主耶穌基督將來的生命，才是永恆的。
是的，我們可能會受苦，一時不得不走過死蔭幽谷。
然而，我們在地上有限的年歲與無限豐富的福氣相比，一切都不算什麼，
那是我們主耶穌基督為我們所預備的。
CONCLUSION 結論
Make the Lord Jesus Christ our Shepherd today.
Only then will we find contentment and appreciate the simple things in life.
Only then will we have a Shepherd who cares for us, makes us rest,
and restores our souls with each passing year.
Only then will we become more righteous and joyful the longer we live.
We know He is always beside us, and His rod and staff comfort us.
He will give us victory over our enemies, even over Satan, the biggest enemy of all.
He has prepared a table for us and provides us with blessing after blessing.
This is how I feel nowadays: my life is full of blessings.
God has given me a beautiful family,
and He has given me peace and joy in my heart,
which only life in Christ can bring.
My destination is to be with God forever.
If this cannot bring me joy, nothing in this world can.
May the Lord grant us all this joyful life in Him.
Amen!
今日就讓主耶穌基督成為我們的牧人。
只有這樣，我們才會感到滿足，且可以欣賞生活中簡單的事物。
只有這樣，我們才會有一位牧人，會關心我們，讓我們休息，
並且逐年恢復我們的靈魂。
只有這樣，我們才會越活越久越更加公義和快樂。
我們知道祂一直在我們身旁，祂的杖和杆會安慰我們。
祂會讓我們戰勝自已的敵人，甚至勝過一切最大的敵人撒但。
祂為我們預備了筵席，並為我們預備一個接著一個的祝福。
這就是我現在的感受：我的生活充滿了祝福。
神給了我一個美好的家庭，
祂給了我內心的平安和喜樂，
那只有在基督裡的生命才能得到。
我的目標是可以永遠與神同在。
如果這樣都不能給我帶來喜樂，那麼這個世界上就沒有任何事物可以帶給我快樂了。
願主賜給我們在祂懷中，享有這一切喜樂的生活。
阿門！
[1] “Suicide,” World Health Organization, published August 28, 2023,
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide.
[1]“自殺”，世界衛生組織，2023 年 8 月 28 日出版，
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide
[2] Christy Bieber, JD, “Revealing Divorce Statistics in 2023,”
Forbes Advisor, updated August 8, 2023,
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/divorce/divorce-statistics/.
2] 克里斯蒂·比伯，法學博士，“揭露 2023 年離婚統計數據”，
福布斯顧問，更新於 2023 年 8 月 8 日，
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/divorce/divorce-statistics/
[3] Benjamin Gurrentz and Yeris Mayol-Garcia,
“Love and Loss Among Older Adults,” United States Census Bureau, April 22, 2021,
https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/04/love-and-loss-among-older-adults.html.
[3] 班傑明·古倫茨和耶里斯·馬約爾-加西亞，
“老年人的愛與失落”，美國人口普查局，2021 年 4 月 22 日，
https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/04/love-and-loss-among-older-adults.html
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