2016年2月28日
漸漸增長Growing Up
读经: 以弗所書4章1-16節
Reading: Ephesians 4:1-16
全身都靠祂⋯⋯便叫身體漸漸增長，在愛中建立自己。-以弗所書4章16節
From him the whole body . . . grows and builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:16
全年读经: 民數記20-22章;馬可福音7章1-13節
Bible in a Year: Numbers 20–22; Mark 7:1-13
我很喜歡看孫子和朋友一起打樂樂棒球（T-Ball），他們因年紀小不知道遊戲規則，常跑錯壘或接到球後不知所措，十分逗趣可愛。然而，若這是一場專業的球賽，這樣的失誤卻不可原諒。
其實，成熟的球員需要時間慢慢地培養和訓練。年輕運動員犯錯是可被容許的，他們從失敗中摸索、從嘗試中學習。因此教練必須耐心地指導他們，直到他們球技成熟，上場應戰，大家便能一起慶祝球隊的成功。
基督徒的生命也是如此，使徒保羅強調教會需要「忍耐，用愛心互相寬容」的同工 （以弗所書4章2節） 。在我們的靈命「得以長大成人」之前，我們需要各種「教練」（牧者、教師、屬靈導師）來幫助我們，「直等到我們眾人在真道上同歸於一」 （13節） 。
我們從講台的信息、聖經教導，及與弟兄姐妹的相處中彼此學習，主要的目的是希望能藉此「凡事長進，連於元首基督」 （15節） ；在信仰旅程中，我們同行前進，彼此勉勵，在各方面長進，達到基督的身量。
主啊，求祢幫助我在各方面長進，
感謝祢預備教會的弟兄姐妹幫助我靈命成長；
也求祢讓我知道，今天有誰需要得到激勵。
彼此扶持，同走天路，必喜樂滿溢。
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Watching my young grandson and his friends play T-Ball is entertaining. In this version of baseball, young players often run to the wrong base or don't know what to do with the ball if they happen to catch it. If we were watching a professional baseball game, these mistakes would not be so funny.
It's all a matter of maturity.
It's okay for young athletes to struggle—not knowing what to do or not getting everything exactly right. They are trying and learning. So we coach them and patiently guide them toward maturity. Then we celebrate their success as later they play with skill as a team.
Something similar happens in the life of those who follow Jesus. Paul pointed out that the church needs people who will "be patient, bearing with one another in love" (Eph. 4:2). And we need a variety of "coaches" (pastors, teachers, spiritual mentors) to help us all move toward "unity in the faith" as we strive to "become mature" (v. 13).
The goal as we listen to preaching and teaching and enjoy life together in the church is to grow up to maturity in Christ (v. 15). Each of us is on this journey, and we can encourage each other on the road to maturity in Jesus.
Lord, help me to strive for maturity. Thank You for equipping the church with men and women who can help me grow in my faith. Show me who I can encourage today.
There's joy in the journey as we walk alongside each other.