10. Manna issue 97 - Taking the I Out of Service 除去已意的事奉
Taking the "I" Out of Service 事奉之時，移除“自我”
Bianca Chong—Essex, UK 英國埃塞克斯郡
In the name of Jesus, I testify.
While studying for my degree in my early twenties,
I was offered a three-month internship in London.
During those few months, by God's grace,
my faith grew exponentially and I learned important lessons about serving God.
奉主耶穌的聖名，我作見證。
在二十出頭時，在攻讀學位期間，
在倫敦我得到了三個月的實習機會。
在那短短的幾個月，蒙神的恩典，
我的信心成指數級的成長，並學到了服事神的重要功課。
HIDING MY TALENTS 隱藏自已的天賦
I started learning to play the piano when I was around ten.
Having started later than my peers,
I always felt inadequate in comparison.
I soon developed a fear of playing the piano in front of others
and kept it secret for many years.
我大約十歲原，才開始學習彈鋼琴。
因為比同齡人起步晚，
所以總覺得自己比較起來不夠好。
在別人面前我很快就出現害怕彈鋼琴，
並保守此密許多年。
Over the years, as I progressed through the piano grades,
church members encouraged me to play for hymnal sessions or religious education lessons.
I declined every time and encouraged other brethren to play instead,
as I felt they were more talented.
I feared the embarrassment of playing incorrectly
and was ashamed of my skill level compared to others
who could play more confidently.
Since there were many gifted members at my local church in Newcastle,
I did not feel the need to serve God in this particular holy work.
多年以來，隨著我提高鋼琴的程度，
教會信徒鼓勵我去彈奏詩頌聚會或宗教教育課程。
我每次都拒絕，反而鼓勵其他弟兄姐妹去彈奏，
因為我覺得他們更有天賦。
我害怕彈奏錯誤時會引起尷尬，
比起別人也很羞恥自己的技巧程度，
他們可以比較自信的彈奏。
由於我當地紐卡索教會有許多優秀才能的信徒，
要在此特別的聖工，我並不覺得有需要服事神。
Eventually, brethren stopped asking me,
and I diverted the musical abilities God had given me
to composing music and choir leading.
Using my talents in other ways,
I would not need to play the piano.
I thought this would still please God
as I was not wasting my talents
but serving Him the way I wanted to without challenging myself too greatly.
In hindsight, this did not address me not wanting to submit to God and His will,
which only lingered and grew inside my heart.
最終，弟兄姐妹不再問我了，
我也把神已給我的音樂天賦，
用來作曲和領詩。
使用我的才能在其他方面，
我就不需要彈鋼琴。
我認為這樣還會蒙神喜悅，
因為我沒有浪費自已的才能，
而是以自已想要的方式來服事祂，卻不用給自己帶來太大的挑戰。
事後看來，這並沒有觸及處理我不願意順服神和祂旨意，
而這種想法只會在我心中，不斷徘徊滋長。
Serving in London Central 中倫敦的事奉
When I moved to London for my three-month internship,
I attended the church in London Central.
As there were fewer members in London than in Newcastle,
I noticed that most members had multiple roles and responsibilities,
resulting in a shortfall of workers when they had to prioritize other duties.
當我搬到倫敦開始三個月的實習時，
我就去中倫敦的教會聚會。
由於倫敦比紐卡索教會的信徒比較少，
我注意到很多數信徒身兼數職，且具多種責任，
當他們必須優先處理其他工作時，導致工作人員短缺。
I joined the cleaning and cooking groups,
but when asked to play the piano for service, I declined.
Although I felt a slight pang of guilt
from knowing there was a lack of pianists,
I was still unwilling to take up this church work.
我加入了清潔和烹飪小組，
但當有人邀請聚會彈琴時，我就拒絕。
雖然我感到一絲愧疚，
因為知道缺乏司琴人員，
但我仍不願意承擔這項教會工作。
GOD'S TEACHING ON THE WAY TO NEWCASTLE 前往紐卡索路上，神的教導
My cousin and a brother from London
organized a weekend road trip to Newcastle,
so I joined them to give my family a surprise visit.
During the car journey,
I rested my eyes while half-listening to a sermon on the car speakers.
Miraculously, it seemed as if the sermon leader was speaking directly to me.
我表弟和一位倫敦的弟兄，
籌劃了一次週末去紐卡索的自駕遊，
所以我加入了他們，要給家人一個驚喜。
在車子路程中，
我一邊瞇著眼睛，且一邊含糊聽著汽車音響播放的講道。
很神奇的，我感覺就好像講者正直接跟我說話。
The sermon leader spoke about our mindset and attitude in service
—how we focus on humility but downplay submission to God when we serve.
Serving God with both humility and submission is important.
These are two different yet interlinked attributes:
humility is to be humble, without pride, giving all the glory to God;
submission is surrendering ourselves before God,
being obedient, and allowing Him to use us as He wills
(Phil 2:8).
Ultimately, the focus of our service is solely on God and not on ourselves.
講者談到了我們服事的心態和態度
─在服事時，我們該如何注重謙遜，卻輕視順服神。
服事神都帶著謙遜與順服兩者，是很重要的。
這兩個特質雖然不同卻又相連：
謙遜是可以謙卑，不驕傲，將一切榮耀歸予神；
順服在神面前交託自己，
可以服從，並讓祂隨已意使用我們。
(腓 2：8)。
最終，我們服事的焦點只完全集中在神，而不是我們自己。
Hearing this biblical truth,
I realized the error of my thinking.
My skewed understanding of humility and lack of submission
meant I was not allowing God to lead me.
I only focused on my will and what I thought was best, not on God and His will.
I quickly understood what I needed to put into prayer and repent from.
I truly thank God for this timely lesson.
聽到這個聖經的真理，
我才明白到自己思考的錯誤。
我曲解了謙卑，且缺乏順服，
代表我沒有讓神帶領我。
我只專注於自己的意志，自已認為最好的是什麼，而不是神及祂的旨意。
我很快就明白了自已需要將什麼事放在禱告中，並且要從那裡開始悔改。
我真心感謝神給了我這個及時的教導。
GOD'S ONE-TO-ONE PRACTICAL LESSON 神一對一的實習課
I returned to London carrying this teaching in my heart
and reflecting deeply on my service to God.
During the pre-service prayer on the following Sabbath,
I prayed that if it was God's will,
to please grant me another opportunity to play the piano for Him.
I knew it was time to overcome my fears and submit to God.
我內心帶著這份教訓回到倫敦，
並深深反省自己對神的服事。
在接下來安息日的會前禱告中，
我祈求神，若那是神的旨意，
請再給我一次機會為祂司琴。
我知道是時候可以克服恐懼，順服神。
Then the bell rang, signaling the end of prayer.
While I was getting up from my knees,
the sister beside me asked if I wanted to play for the Bible study session,
which would start in a few minutes, instead of her.
Immediately, I knew that God had answered my prayers!
He gave me this opportunity to learn to serve Him with humility and submission.
I accepted the sister's offer and went to sit at the piano.
Despite not having time to practice,
what little confidence I had grew
when the Bible study leader chose a simple hymn that I could sight-read.
鈴聲響起，代表禱告結束。
當我跪著正要起身，
旁邊的姐妹詢問是否我願意代替她在查經班司琴，
課程幾分鐘後就要開始。
我立刻就知道，神已回應了我的禱告！
祂給我這次機會，可以學習以謙卑順服事奉祂。
我接受這位姊妹的邀請，走去鋼琴前坐下。
儘管沒有時間練習，
而且我僅僅加強了一點信心，
那時查經班主領選擇了一首我能即席看譜彈奏的簡單讚美詩。
As I played the hymn, doubts, and fears started creeping into my mind again.
After playing one flat note, making a mistake, and then another,
all I could think of was how terribly I was playing.
The anxiety within was growing.
My hands were sweating, my legs shaking, my confidence plummeting.
Just when I was about to have a panic attack,
I pleaded to God in my heart: God, please help me!
當彈奏讚美詩之時，疑慮和恐懼再次湧上心頭。
在彈奏了一個低音，犯一個錯誤，然後又有下一個錯誤，
我所能想的事，都是自己彈得有多糟糕。
內心的焦慮與日俱增。
我手心冒汗，雙腿顫抖，自信直線下降。
正在我快要驚慌失措之時\，
我內心祈求神：神啊，請幫助我！
Instantly, the sound of the piano was drowned out
like I was playing the hymn underwater.
It happened so suddenly after my silent prayer.
Even though I was looking down at my fingers pressing the keys,
the sound of the piano was murky and unclear.
No matter which notes I played or how hard I pressed the keys,
the sound was unusual and out of focus.
Instead, my ears automatically tuned into the singing of the congregation
instead of my own playing.
Their praises were louder and clearer than ever before.
It was like someone had adjusted the volume control in my ears
by lowering the sound of the piano to a minimum
while raising the voices of the congregation.
瞬間，鋼琴之音受到掩蓋，
就像我在水中彈讚美詩一樣。
在我默禱之後，這一切突然發生。
儘管我正低頭看著自己手指敲擊琴鍵，
鋼琴聲卻渾濁不清。
無論我彈奏哪個音符，無論我多用力按著琴鍵，
鋼琴聲都顯得異常，毫無焦點。
相反的，我的耳朵自動轉向會眾的歌聲，
而不是我自己的彈奏。
他們的讚美聲比以往都更響亮，更清晰。
那就像有人已調整我耳朵的音量，
把鋼琴聲調到最低，
而同時把會眾的聲音提高。
My heart leaped with thanksgiving to God!
I knew exactly what God was teaching me:
He was telling me to focus on Him,
reminding me that I was not serving alone but with the congregation and God.
我內心對神感恩而歡欣雀躍！
我清楚知道神會教導我什麼：
祂正告訴我要專心依靠祂，
提醒我，我並不是獨自服事，而是與會眾與神一起服事。
By the end of the hymn, peace and joy filled my entire being.
I could not wait to share this miracle and God's teaching
with my spiritual brothers and sisters.
Truly, thank God.
唱詩結束時，平安和喜樂充滿我整個身心。
我等不及想要分享自已的神蹟和神的教導，
給自已的屬靈弟兄姐妹。
真的很感謝神。
CONFIDENCE IN GOD 信靠神
When we step into a new role
or start doing church work that we are inexperienced in,
we may feel daunted by the unknown and struggle with our confidence.
But when our lack of confidence is left alone to fester,
it hinders our faith and can even lead to unwillingness to serve God altogether.
當我們擔任新角色，
或開始從事我們沒有經驗的教會工作時，
我們可能會因未知而感到恐懼，且信心會產生動搖。
但我們沒有信心，而任其獨自發展時，
那就會阻礙我們的信仰，甚至同時會導致不願意服事神。
In some ways, this crisis of confidence masquerades itself as humility
when, ironically, the root problem is pride.
This warped sense of humility can manifest in multiple ways.
We may find ourselves quickly discouraging ourselves when asked to serve:
I'm not good enough to do it.
This self-doubt leads to unwillingness,
and we may eventually push away God-given opportunities to serve Him.
We may even belittle our talents and skills compared to others,
thinking, Other people can do it better and quicker than me,
so why bother?
在某些方面，這種信心的危機會偽裝成謙卑，
而諷刺的是，其根源問題是驕傲時。
這種扭曲的謙卑之心會有很多種方式的表現。
當被受邀去服事時，自已可能很快就會灰心：
我不夠好去執行。
這種自我懷疑會導致抗拒，
最終我們可能會推離神賞賜服事祂的機會。
我們甚至可能會貶低自己與別人比較的天賦和技能，
認為：別人可能會比我做得更好、更快，
所以何必去找麻煩呢？
But have we considered
the One who has given us these gifts and opportunities to serve in the first place?
When we focus on our lack of confidence or talent,
we fail to see that it reveals our lack of confidence in God.
Our distorted understanding of humility
negatively impacts the way we view ourselves as God's vessels
and damages our zeal to serve Him,
so we may end up disobeying and defying God's will.
但我們是否曾想過，
最初已賜給我們這些恩賜和機會可以服事的獨一神？
當我們專注缺乏自信或天賦時，
我們卻沒有意識到，這顯示我們對神沒有信心。
我們扭曲了理解謙卑，
負面影響我們看待自己為神器皿的方式，
並削弱自已服事祂的熱心，
最終我們可能會違背反抗祂的旨意。
For if there is first a willing mind,
it is accepted according to what one has,
and not according to what he does not have.
(2 Cor 8:12).
12因為人若有願做的心，必蒙悅納，乃是照他所有的，並不是照他所無的。
(林後 8：12)
Instead of looking at what we lack,
we should be grateful for what God has given us.
No matter how much or how little we have been blessed with,
we must have faith that
it can be useful to the Master, if we are first pure and willing to offer,
just like the widow of Zarephath
with the handful of flour and the little jar of oil
(1 Kgs 17:12–16).
與其顧念自己的缺乏，
我們應該感恩神所賞賜的一切。
無論我們曾蒙受的祝福很多或很少，
我們都必須有信心，
若自已先潔淨，樂意事奉，就能對主有用，
就像撒勒法寡婦，
只有一把麵粉和一小瓶油
(王上 17：12-16)。
Serving God may not always be comfortable or easy,
and we must not think that we must perfect our talents and skills before serving.
This notion comes from our self-serving desire to be "perfect" in our own eyes.
But God does not require "perfection" according to our standards.
What He accepts is our willingness to give what we already have back to Him,
our obedience in doing the good works He has prepared for each of us,
and our submission to the Spirit,
who is working with us to fulfill His will
(1 Cor 12:11).
事奉神或許並不總是舒適或輕鬆的，
我們切勿認為，事奉前自已必須先完善才能和技能。
這種想法源自於我們在自己眼中，自我自已渴望達到“完美”。
但神並不需要那種按照我們標準的“完美”。
祂所接納的是我們樂意將自已已經擁有的一切歸還給祂，
祂已經為我們每一個人準備可行善工的順服，
讓我們順服聖靈，
且聖靈與我們同工，可去成就祂的旨意。
(林前 12：11)
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
(Eph 2:10)
10我們原是他的工作，在基督耶穌裡造成的，為要叫我們行善，
就是神所預備叫我們行的。
(弗 2：10)
CONCLUSION 結論
When serving God, our focus is on Him and not on ourselves.
Our heart must entwine humility and submission to God to create the right mindset
so that He will accept our offerings.
We must humbly accept the talents and opportunities God has given us,
have a willing mind to offer what He desires of us,
and submit to Him who faithfully works through us to do His work and glorify God.
事奉神的時候，我們要專心依靠祂，而不是自己。
我們內心必須交纏謙卑與順服神，才能擁有正確的心態，
這樣祂才會悅納我們的奉獻。
我們必須謙卑接受神賜給我們的才能和機會，
並甘心樂意可以獻上祂對我們的期望，
並順服祂，祂會信實透過我們運行來完成祂的事工，榮耀神。
We serve with God and for God.
Let us all learn to take the "I" out of our service.
我們與神一同事奉，也為神事奉。
讓我們都學會在事奉中除去已意。
May all glory be unto His name.
Amen!
願一切榮耀歸於祂的聖名。
阿們！
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入翻譯
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)