【中英双语】令人振奋的丰收

令人振奋的丰收

Enjoying The Harvest

吃到自己园子里长出来的第一个蕃茄或西葫芦，令我感到十分兴奋。在农场长大或有菜园的人更熟知这种心情。特别是，当你有份参与帮助植物成长那美好却费力的工夫，这种兴奋愈发强烈。

A delicious joy comes with eating that first tomato or zucchini you have grown in your garden. People who grew up on farms or with gardens know this joy intimately. And it is intensified when you have been involved in the beautiful and strenuous process of helping plants grow.

在我们今天读的经文里，这位农夫被恰当地形容为“劳力的”。正如我享受菜园的工作，我也同样了解其中的艰辛。我学习到，若不是持续关注地种植与保护，以及辛勤地除草、浇水，园中的收成是非常有限的。种植的喜悦，来自从头至尾的亲身参与，看见成长的过程，尝到初熟的果子，以及享受劳苦工作而来的丰盛。

In our verse for today, the farmer is rightly described as "hardworking." As much as I enjoy gardening, I know it is hard work. I've learned that without a constant focus on planting and protecting the garden and doing the weeding and watering along the way, there will be a limited harvest at best. Joy comes from being intimately involved from start to finish, seeing the growth and being the "first to receive" and enjoy the bounty that comes from this hard work.

写这封信的保罗，将这个比喻告诉提摩太 (及所有忠心的见证人) ，以引起特别的重视。福音事工很艰难。作为基督的门徒和一位牧师，我从服事的痛苦与失望中学会了这个功课。正如耕作和种植那样，它要求你对园中的植物有专一的心与不变的爱。感恩的是，神让我看到人们在“耶稣基督的恩典”里成长起来，而满心欣慰。

Paul, the writer of this letter, offers this comparison to Timothy (and all faithful witnesses) to make a larger point. Ministry is hard work. I've learned this from the aches, pains, and disappointments of serving as a Christ-follower and pastor. Like farming and gardening, it requires a singular focus and a disciplined love for the plants in the garden. Thankfully, God has given me joy in seeing people grow in "the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

今天，努力服事他人吧。你会因着分享那些生命得到改变、令人振奋的果子，而感到莫名的兴奋与喜乐。

Work hard in serving others. You will find joy in sharing in the refreshing harvest of transformed lives.

主耶稣基督，感谢祢赐给我力量服事他人，虽然艰难却是美好。求祢使我得以享受看到生命改变的喜乐，并以这喜乐更新我灵。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。

Christ Jesus, thank you for the strength of your grace to do the good and hard work of serving others. Refresh my spirit with the joy of sharing in the harvest of transformed lives. Amen.

小子们哪，我们相爱，

不要只在言语和舌头上。

总要在行为和诚实上。

约翰一书 3:18