2016年2月7日
悲傷工廠 The Factory of Sadness
读经: 約翰福音16章28-33節
Reading: John 16:28-33
上帝要擦去他們一切的眼淚。-啟示錄21章4節
[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes.- Revelation 21:4
全年读经: 利未記1-3章;馬太福音24章1-28節
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 1–3; Matthew 24:1-28
當了一輩子美式足球隊克里夫蘭布朗的球迷，我是在失望中長大的。在眾多球隊中，只有四隊從來沒有晉級到超級盃，而布朗隊就是其中之一，但球迷們仍然年復一年地忠實追隨。所以球迷們總是以失望收場，故此許多人就把布朗隊的主場稱為「悲傷工廠」。
我們生活的這個破碎世界也好像是個「悲傷工廠」，無論是出自於我們自己的選擇，或是因著那些無法掌控之事，這個世界總是不斷地製造心痛和失望。
但跟隨基督的人有盼望，我們無論在今生或永生都有指望，正如耶穌說：「我將這些事告訴你們，是要叫你們在我裡面有平安。在世上你們有苦難，但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界」 （約翰福音16章33節） 。值得注意的是，基督並不是輕看我們的困難和悲傷，乃是以平安喜樂和終必得勝的應許來擊退所有的傷痛。
在基督裡有莫大的平安，這平安也足以幫助我們從容面對迎面而來的一切挑戰。
有時享平安，如江河平又穩，
有時憂傷來似浪滾，不論何環境，
我已蒙主引領，我心靈，得安寧。得安寧。
在耶穌裡，我們能得著盼望和平安。
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As a lifelong Cleveland Browns football fan, I grew up knowing my share of disappointment. Despite being one of only four teams to have never appeared in a Super Bowl championship game, the Browns have a loyal fan base that sticks with the team year in and year out. But because the fans usually end up disappointed, many of them now refer to the home stadium as the "Factory of Sadness."
The broken world we live in can be a "factory of sadness" too. There seems to be an endless supply of heartache and disappointment, whether from our own choices or things beyond our control.
The follower of Christ has hope—not only in the life to come but for this very day.
Yet the follower of Christ has hope—not only in the life to come but for this very day. Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Notice that without minimizing the struggles or sadness we may experience, Christ counters them with His promises of peace, joy, and ultimate victory.
Great peace is available in Christ, and it's more than enough to help us navigate whatever life throws at us.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. Horatio G. Spafford
Our hope and peace are found in Jesus.