2016年3月22日
好戲在後頭The Best Is Yet to Come
读经: 歌羅西書3章1-11節
Reading: Colossians 3:1-11
你們要思念上面的事，不要思念地上的事。-歌羅西書3章2節
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
全年读经: 約書亞記10-12章;路加福音1章39-56節
Bible in a Year: Joshua 10–12; Luke 1:39-56
在我們家，三月的到來不僅意味著冬季的結束，也代表那稱為「瘋狂三月」的大學籃球賽季也來到了。身為狂熱的球迷，我們追看球賽轉播，並且熱情地支持我們最喜歡的球隊。如果我們提早轉到運動頻道，可以聽到體育主播談論即將開始的比賽，還能觀賞球員的賽前暖身練習，包括練習投籃、與隊友一起熱身。然而，最精彩的好戲是在後頭。
我們在世上的生活就像賽前暖身一樣，儘管充滿生活樂趣和希望，卻完全比不上天家永遠的生命。如果你現在的生活已經很好了，但想到還有更好的在後頭，豈能不開心呢？或是想到我們甘心樂意地幫助缺乏的人，便是積聚財寶在天上，怎能不充滿喜樂呢？在遭遇苦難和哀傷之時，想到上帝應許我們將會得到那沒有痛苦、沒有眼淚的永恆生命，我們就能滿有盼望。難怪保羅會如此勸勉：「你們要思念上面的事。」（歌羅西書3章2節）
上帝應許的永恆生命，使我們能以全新的角度來看待人生。也許現在的生活已經挺不錯了，但還有更好的在後頭。如今我們雖然住在地上，卻擁有永生的盼望，實在是上帝美好的恩典！
恩賞不遠，努力向前！救主榮美即望見；
將入珠門，將登天城，得進天街朝主面。
當我眾都到天庭，主面前歡喜相聚樂如何！
為永生而活，就能正確看待今生。
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In our family, March means more than the end of winter. It means that the college basketball extravaganza called "March Madness" has arrived. As avid fans, we watch the tournament and enthusiastically root for our favorite teams. If we tune in early we get a chance to listen to the broadcasters talk about the upcoming game and to enjoy some of the pre-game drills where players shoot practice shots and warm up with teammates.
Our life on earth is like the pre-game in basketball. Life is interesting and full of promise, but it doesn't compare to what lies ahead. Just think of the pleasure of knowing that even when life is good, the best is yet to come! Or that when we give cheerfully to those in need, it's an investment in heavenly treasure. In times of suffering and sorrow, we can find hope as we reflect on the truth that a pain-free, tearless eternity awaits us. It's no wonder that Paul exhorts: "Set your minds on things above" (Col. 3:2).
The future God has promised us enables us to see all of life in new dimensions. While this may be a great life, the best life is still to come. It is a wonderful privilege to live here in the light of there.
Let us then be true and faithful, trusting, serving every day; just one glimpse of Him in glory will the toils of life repay. When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!
Living for the future puts today in perspective.