扎深生命根基、建造健康教會

「 因為逆風。」 (太十四：24直譯)

        三月的風經常是粗魯和狂野的。這不正代表我們生命中激烈的季節嗎？的確，我應該為這個季節感到高興。雖然大雨降下、洪水來臨，總比永遠停留在一望無際單調的平原上，或不曾被大風吹襲、不曾被濃霧遮蔽的峽谷中來的好。風暴似的摧殘，雖然看來殘酷，豈不是使我更加熱切而認真地禱告嗎？豈不迫使我更加緊緊抓住主的應許嗎？豈不留給我精鍊後的優質性格嗎? 
 
       風暴是可怕的。它卻是天父讓我親近祂的方式，在祂臨在的奧祕中，祂向我的心說話，享受祂的輕聲細語。唯有在逆風中航向巨浪時，才能看見上帝的榮耀。 
 
       「耶穌基督未曾應許不遇風暴, 但在風暴中祂是安全的倚靠。祂未曾許諾一個容易的過程，但確保安全領航。」  

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"'The wind was contrary" (Matt. 14:24).

        Rude and blustering the winds of March often are. Do they not typify the tempestuous seasons of my life? But, indeed, I ought to be glad that I make acquaintance with these seasons. Better it is that the rains descend and the floods come than that I should stay perpetually in the Lotus Land where it seems always afternoon, or in that deep meadowed Valley of Avilion where never wind blows loudly. Storms of temptation appear cruel, but do they not give intenser earnestness to prayer? Do they not compel me to seize the promises with a tighter hand grip? Do they not leave me with a character refined?
        Storms of bereavement are keen; but, then, they are one of the Father's ways of driving me to Himself, that in the secret of His presence His voice may speak to my heart, soft and low. There is a glory of the Master which can be seen only when the wind is contrary and the ship tossed with waves.
        "Jesus Christ is no security against storms, but He is perfect security in storms. He has never promised you an easy passage, only a safe landing."