2016年2月25日
前進的狂熱 Go Fever
读经: 民數記14章39-45節
Reading: Numbers 14:39-45
你當默然倚靠耶和華，耐性等候祂。-詩篇37篇7節
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. - Psalm 37:7
全年读经: 民數記12-14章;馬可福音5章21-43節
Bible in a Year: Numbers 12–14; Mark 5:21-43
在1986年1月28日，挑戰者號太空船在五次延遲發射後，終於在巨響與火焰的震撼序曲中，轟隆隆直上雲霄。但僅僅73秒後，太空船就因故障而解體，七名太空人全數罹難。
導致災難的原因，是早已有瑕疵的零件發生了故障，而內部人士則將致命的錯誤歸咎於「前進的狂熱」，意指人們在急欲達成遠大的目標時，而對關鍵性的預警置之不理。
人類天生的野心不斷地誘使我們一意孤行，而另一方面我們也很容易因恐懼而過度謹慎。古時以色列人就展現出這兩種特質。當12名探子窺探應許地之後，其中10人的眼中只看到困難 （民數記13章26-33節） 。他們報告說：「我們不能上去攻擊那民，因為他們比我們強壯」 （31節） 。然而，在因悖逆上帝遭懲罰，導致10名探子死亡後，民眾突然又產生了一股「前進的狂熱」。他們說：「我們⋯⋯情願上耶和華所應許的地方去」 （14章40節） 。然而，沒有上帝的同在，這次時機錯誤的出擊最終以悲劇收場 （41-45節） 。
若不定睛於上帝，我們就容易陷入兩種極端：要麼沒有上帝同在就急躁地往前衝，要麼因懼怕而畏畏縮縮、滿腹牢騷。定睛仰望上帝，才能帶來有祂的智慧所調和的勇氣。
在匆促下決定前，想想自己為何要決定得如此倉促，
這決定是否能榮耀上帝，或需要旁人付出什麼代價。
若你害怕做決定，原因是什麼。最重要的是向上帝禱告！
片刻忍耐可免更大的災難。
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On January 28, 1986, after five weather-related delays, the space shuttle Challenger lumbered heavenward amid a thunderous overture of noise and flame. A mere 73 seconds later, system failure tore the shuttle apart, and all seven crewmembers perished.
The disaster was attributed to an O-ring seal known to have vulnerabilities. Insiders referred to the fatal mistake as "go fever"—the tendency to ignore vital precautions in the rush to a grand goal.
Our ambitious human nature relentlessly tempts us to make ill-advised choices. Yet we are also prone to a fear that can make us overly cautious. The ancient Israelites demonstrated both traits. When the 12 scouts returned from spying out the Promised Land, 10 of the 12 saw only the obstacles (Num. 13:26-33). "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are," they said (v. 31). After a fearful rebellion against the Lord that led to the death of the 10 spies, the people suddenly developed a case of "go fever." They said, "Now we are ready to go up to the land the Lord promised" (14:40). Without God, the ill-timed invasion failed miserably (vv. 41-45).
When we take our eyes off the Lord, we'll slide into one of two extremes. We'll impatiently rush ahead without Him, or we'll cower and complain in fear. Focusing on Him brings courage tempered with His wisdom.
Before making a quick decision, consider why you want to make it quickly. Consider if it will honor God and what it might cost others. If you are afraid to make a decision, think about why that might be. Most of all, pray!
A moment of patience can prevent a great disaster.