在複雜的世界中追求簡單
2024年9月16日By Jim Langley
在複雜的世界中追求簡單
STRIVING FOR SIMPLICITY IN A COMPLEX WORLD
你可能已經注意到生活變得多麼複雜了。商業和專業人士，每天要瀏覽數百封電子郵件，才能找到十幾封與他們的業務有關的內容。即使是許多退休人士也提到，退休後他們的生活仍然很忙碌。他們也經常回憶起，全職工作時所完成的事情更多！
看起來，當我們進步得越多，科技就越把我們困在時間的陷阱中。在我的保險行業裡，我觀察到過去四十多年來，我們的業務方式有了重大的進展－我能夠在更短的時間內，向一般和潛在客戶提供更多的數據。然而，有趣的是，以前我的業務不那麼複雜，選擇和資源更少時，我反而能夠用更少的力氣，完成更多的業務。你能理解這種矛盾嗎？
我們有許多人，熱衷於購買最新的智慧型手機，以便使用那些設計來讓生活更簡單、更愉快的應用程式。我的車有內建的導航系統，我也可以隨時使用手機上的GPS應用程式。但令人意外的是，我經常享受用傳統的方式找到目的地－例如使用列印出來的Google地圖，有時甚至會使用儲物箱裡的傳統地圖。
我們「進步」到了一個地步，人們在咖啡館裡不再閱讀報紙上自己喜歡的版面，來暫時避免和朋友或家人聊天。(許多城市甚至已經很難找到報紙了！)我們會盯著智慧型手機或平板電腦，而不是與他人面對面交流。看到一家四口或更多人在餐廳裡，每個人都沉迷於自己的媒體設備中，錯過了傾聽彼此生活的美好時刻，讓我很心痛。
正因如此，我刻意尋求簡化我的生活。這包括專注於上帝，祂創造並設計這個複雜的世界，同時也為我們提供簡單而有效的生活指引。很多年前，我選擇相信這位複雜的上帝，並意識到祂的方式，其實非常簡單易行。我們不需要電子設備，來顯明祂對我們人生的旨意。祂話語中的真理和原則，能幫助我們在日益複雜的世界中，保持平衡。以下是其中幾個原則：
上帝的誡命－生活的規則－簡明扼要。大多數企業都有冗長的員工手冊，而我們購買的汽車、家電或電子設備，也附有複雜的使用說明。但是，當上帝頒布祂的誡命－生活規則時，祂只給了十條。第一條是所有其他誡命的基礎：「不可為自己雕刻偶像……不可跪拜那些像，也不可事奉他；因為我耶和華你的神是忌邪的神……愛我、守我誡命的，我必向他們發慈愛，直到千代。」(出埃及記 20章4-6節)
祂提供了一條通往智慧的簡單道路。我們的世界，充滿了知識和資訊，但智慧似乎非常稀缺。上帝應許賜智慧給那些尋求的人：「耶和華的律法全備，能甦醒人心；耶和華的法度確定，能使愚人有智慧。」（詩篇 19篇7節）
上帝的供應並不複雜。我們計劃、設計並構思各種方法，來實現我們的目標，和滿足我們的需求，但上帝的方式相對簡單。祂所要求的，只是信心和對祂堅定不移的信靠。「耶和華保護愚人；我落到卑微的地步，他救了我」(詩篇 116篇6節）
© Jim Langley擔任人壽和健康保險經紀人期間已有30多年，他的寫作經歷也是。近年來，他的熱情轉向寫下他與神的個人關係。他的目標是鼓勵其他人來親近神。他是CBMC的長期會員，在2014年開始撰寫「比賽最後四分之一場戰略」。
反省與問題討論
第一、許多科技進步確實對我們非常有幫助，但在某些方面，它們卻也讓日常生活變得更加複雜。你能想到一些這樣的例子嗎？
第二、如果你在職場上待過一段時間，你大概還記得，沒有今天這些電子奇觀時的情景。你是否曾懷念那些，沒這麼複雜也沒這麼多干擾的「昔日美好時光」呢？請解釋你的答案。
第三、儘管我們擁有各種「節省時間」的設備，許多研究表明，我們所經歷的壓力和不滿，卻比以往任何時候都多。你如何解釋這種現象？
第四、有人認為，對上帝的信靠可以幫助簡化我們的日常生活，無論是在職場還是個人生活中。你同意嗎？請解釋你的答案。
挑戰思考
我們生活在一個快節奏的世界中，幾乎迫使我們以瘋狂的速度追逐生活。在接下來的一週中，試著放慢腳步，評估一下你的生活變得多麼複雜－以及有多少部分，是被現有的科技工具和設備所左右的。或許可以找一位好友或導師聊聊，討論如何簡化生活，減少你所面臨的壓力。祈求上帝賜給你智慧，讓你能放棄一些不錯的事物，以至於能夠專注於最美好的事物。
備註：如果你有聖經，想閱讀更多相關的內容，請參考以下的經文 : （因篇幅有限，請自行參閱未列出的經文：出埃及記20:1-17、詩篇116篇5-6節)
詩篇19篇7-8節
19:7耶和華的律法全備，能甦醒人心；耶和華的法度確定，能使愚人有智慧。
19:8耶和華的訓詞正直，能快活人的心；耶和華的命令清潔，能明亮人的眼目。
箴言8章1-11節
8:1 智慧豈不呼叫？聰明豈不發聲？
8:2他在道旁高處的頂上，在十字路口站立，
8:3在城門旁，在城門口，在城門洞，大聲說：
8:4眾人哪，我呼叫你們，我向世人發聲。
8:5說：愚蒙人哪，你們要會悟靈明；愚昧人哪，你們當心裡明白。
8:6你們當聽，因我要說極美的話；我張嘴要論正直的事。
8:7我的口要發出真理；我的嘴憎惡邪惡。
8:8我口中的言語都是公義，並無彎曲乖僻。
8:9有聰明的，以為明顯，得知識的，以為正直。
8:10你們當受我的教訓，不受白銀；寧得知識，勝過黃金。
8:11因為智慧比珍珠（或作：紅寶石）更美；一切可喜愛的都不足與比較。
馬可福音12章28-31節
12:28 有一個文士來，聽見他們辯論，曉得耶穌回答的好，就問他說：「誡命中那是第一要緊的呢？」
12:29耶穌回答說：「第一要緊的就是說：『以色列啊，你要聽，主我們神是獨一的主。
12:30你要盡心、盡性、盡意、盡力愛主你的神。』
12:31其次就是說：『要愛人如己。』再沒有比這兩條誡命更大的了。」
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STRIVING FOR SIMPLICITY IN A COMPLEX WORLD
MONDAY MANNASep 16, 2024
STRIVING FOR SIMPLICITY IN A COMPLEX WORLD
By Jim Langley
You have probably noticed just how complex life has become. Business and professional people scan through hundreds of emails every workday to locate about a dozen relevant to their business. Even many retired individuals comment on how busy their lives have become even after their careers have ended. They often reflect on how much more they used to accomplish when working full-time!
It seems that the more advancements we make, the more technology snares us into time traps. In my insurance profession, I have observed the past 40-plus years have brought great strides in the way we do business – I am able to provide much more data in less time to my clients and prospects. It is interesting to note, however, when my business was less complex, with fewer options and resources, I was able to write more business with less effort. Can you relate to this paradox?
Many of us get caught up in acquiring the latest smartphones to handle all the apps designed to make life easier and more enjoyable. My car has a built-in navigation system, and I can always use the GPS app on my phone. But surprisingly, I often enjoy finding my destination the old-fashioned way – using a printed version of Google Maps, or sometimes reverting to an old city map stuffed in my glove box.
We have “advanced” so much, people in coffee shops no longer read their favorite section of the newspaper to avoid carrying on conversations with friends or family. (In many cities, newspapers are hard to find!) We stare at smartphones or tablets rather than communicating with others face to face. It pains me to see a family of four or more sitting in a restaurant, everyone caught up in their personal media devices, missing the wonderful opportunity to hear about what has been happening in each other's lives.
For this reason, I deliberately seek to simplify my life. This includes focusing the God who has created and designed our complex world yet seeks to provide simple but effective guidelines for living. Many years ago, I placed my trust in this complex God, realizing His ways are very simple to follow. We do not need electronic gadgets to reveal His will for our lives. The truths and principles of His Word help us stay on an even keel in our increasingly complex world. Here are a few of them:
God’s commandments – rules for living – are simple. Most businesses have lengthy employee manuals, and when we buy a car, appliance or electronic device, they come with complex instructions. But when God set forth His commandments, His rules for living, He gave only 10. The first serves as the foundation for all the rest: “You shall not make for yourself an idol…. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments” (Genesis 20:4-6).
He offers a simple path to wisdom. Our world is filled with knowledge and information, but wisdom seems in extremely short supply. God promises to provide it to those who seek it. “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7).
God’s provision is not complicated. We plan, devise and scheme ways for reaching our goals and meeting our needs, but God’s ways are relatively simple. All He requires is faith and unwavering trust in Him. “The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, He saved me” (Psalm 116:6).
© 2024, all rights reserved. Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his relationship with God. His goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. A long-time member of CBMC, he started writing “Fourth Quarter Strategies” in 2014.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. Many of the technological advances available to us are very helpful but in some ways, they make everyday life more complicated. Can you think of any examples of this?
2. If you have been in the workplace for any length of time, you can probably remember what it was like without some of today’s electronic marvels. Do you ever yearn for the “good old days,” when there were fewer complexities and distractions? Explain your answer.
3. Despite all the “timesaving” devices available to us, many studies indicate that we are experiencing more stress and discontent than ever before. How can you explain this?
4. It is suggested that faith in God can help in simplifying our daily lives, both in the workplace and in our personal lives. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Challenge For This Week
We live in a fast-paced world, almost obligating us to pursue life at a frenetic pace. Over the coming week, try to slow down enough to assess how complex your life has become – and how much it is controlled by the technological tools and devices available to you.
It might be helpful to meet with someone – a good friend or mentor – and discuss ways you might simplify your life and reduce the levels of stress you are experiencing. Pray for God to give you wisdom is dispensing with some good things so you can focus on the best things.
NOTE:
For more about what the Bible says, consider the following passages:
Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19:7-8; Psalm 116:5-6; Proverbs 8:1-11; Mark 12:28-31
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