Live for What Lasts 為永恆而活

Once again, it is my special privilege to welcome you to a new school year. I’m excited for what the year has in store. For the past three weeks, MAK has been bustling with activity: first our new staff orientation, then our teacher prep week, followed by our first week of school. It is so good to have the immense energy of teachers and students alike within our walls again.

很榮幸地，我可以在一次歡迎大家來到新的學年。我很期待看看今年會有什麼新鮮事即將到來。過去三年，MAK 一直有許多活動在發生：首先是新進教職員的受訓，然後是所有教師的備課週，接著就是開學第一星期。很棒可以再一次感受到在校園裡，老師與學生在互相交流的氣氛。

One of my privileges each year is to choose an annual theme for the year – one we discuss in chapels, Bible classes, and myriad school events and classroom conversations. This year, our theme is: Live for What Lasts.

每年，我都很榮幸可以選擇當年學校的主題 – 這是可以在教會時間、聖經課、和其他五花八門課堂上可以討論的主題。今年，我們的主題是「為永恆而活」。

To be honest, this theme is a fairly deep one – one that requires some introspection that will be difficult for many of our elementary students. But the idea of living for what truly lasts is one of the most important goals we can pursue as humans. It was also something that Jesus was constantly talking about.

老實說，這是個很深奧的主題 – 需要一些自我反省，且對我們許多國小學生來說很難懂的主題。但是，為了真正永恆的事物而活這個想法，是我們身為人類來說，一個很重要，值得追求的目標。

In the book of John, He asked, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”

在馬太福音中，約翰問: 「人若賺得全世界、賠上自己的生命、有甚麼益處呢?」

In another instance He told the story of a wise and a foolish builder. The first built his house on sand, and when a flood arose, all was lost. The second “dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.”

在另一個例子裡，他說了個關於有智慧的建築師，及愚蠢的建築師的故事。第一個建築師在沙子上改房子，所以漲潮時，房子就全被摧毀了。第二個「在石頭上挖了很深的地基」，所以漲潮時，因為房子蓋得很堅固，所以屹立不搖。

At another time Jesus commissioned his followers saying, “I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.”

還有一次，耶穌 揀 選 了 他門徒 、 並說：「 我 分 派 你 們 去 結 果 子 、 叫 你 們 的 果 子 常 存 」。

My hope in my own life is that the things that I do, the things that I spend time on, and the things that I concern myself with will be things that will have some permanence. But I don’t think this is possible unless I stop to consider both what things have lasting value and how I might do those things with lasting effect.

我希望在我自己的生活中，對任何花時間去做的是，和我希望自己去做的是，都是有常存的元素在裡面。但同時，除非我靜下心去思考「什麼」事情是永恆，和「如何」去做，不然，想達到永恆的效果根本是個不可能的任務。

As we begin the year this year, let’s collectively consider what parts of our lives we should prioritize in light of lasting value. Do we spend enough time caring for our souls through solitude and personal reflection? Do we constantly prioritize work over our families? Are we more concerned with our material possessions or with having a good time than we are with the needs of those around us? Do we live enough in light of what happens after death?

在我們一同迎接新學年的此時，讓我們一起思考我們人生中哪些部分是需要優先處理，已得到永恆的價值。我們有沒有花足夠的時間，透過獨處和自省來省視自己的心靈？我們是否常將工作放在家庭前面？我們是否較注重物質需求，或享樂，而忽略了我們身邊需要幫助的人？我們是否鑑於死後會發生的事而活？

Similarly, let’s consider how we do the things we do and whether or not our ways have lasting value. In our interactions with our children or students, are we fully present, investing in each conversation, or are we preoccupied with the next task? Have we fallen prey to the addictions of our electronic devices, constantly focused on the next email, the next Line message, the next like, or the next comment? At work do our colleagues see our kindness and genuine care and concern?

同樣的，讓我們來思考我們都如何處理大小事，那我們的方式是否有永恆的價值呢？在我們與孩子和學生的互動中，我們是否有專注在當時，認真聽每個對話，還是其實腦子都在想其他事呢？

Join me in my attempts, successes, and failures at Living for What Lasts this year. I think it’s worth the investment.

邀請大家，一起來與我在為永恆而活這個理念上，一同嘗試、成功與失敗。我認為這個投資很有價值。