把對創造的敬畏帶入工商職場
2024年6月24日By Erenia Mendoza
把對創造的敬畏帶入工商職場
BRINGING THE AWE OF CREATION INTO THE WORKPLACE
心理和情緒的健康,日漸成為生活各領域的重要關注點。尤其是在要求高、壓力大、節奏快的全球工商職場中。形成的原因是複雜的,然而,有時候解決方法卻可能出奇的簡單。
在對情緒和社會互動的研究中,加州大學柏克萊分校心理學教授達契爾‧克特納博士(Dr.Dacher Keltner)強調了一種很有價值,但我們大多數人平常不會考慮的「減壓方式」:大自然。凱特納(Keltner)的研究顯示,沉浸在大自然中,對人的心血管和大腦系統有直接的果效。他說,這種經歷不僅對我們的身體有深遠的影響,還會影響著我們如何看待自己,以及瞭解生命的意義。
克特納(Keltner)所建議的沉浸於大自然,並不單純是一個世俗的想法。這其實是一個貫穿聖經的主題。聖經從開始的篇章,就向我們揭示了上帝偉大的創造,並邀請我們默想(contemplate),祂為我們所預備的浩瀚宇宙。
細想我們在聖經中發現的一些經文,它們會強化了認識上帝完美和神聖工作的重要性,以及它們如何與凱特納(Keltner)的觀察相吻合:
反思上帝的偉大。「諸天述說神的榮耀;穹蒼傳揚他的手段。」(詩篇19篇1節)根據這項科學研究,我們會發現一個與聖經有趣的相似之處-承認上帝偉大的創造。正如凱特納(Keltner)所建議的那樣,經常的接觸大自然,與聖經中建議的做法,默想上帝的偉大,是一致的。
感受上帝對細節的熱愛。「你們向上舉目,看誰創造這萬象,按數目領出,他一一稱其名;因他的權能,又因他的大能大力,連一個都不缺。」(以賽亞書40章26節)這表明祂對創造所投入的細節是多麼的細緻。
讚嘆於上帝創造的奇妙。「你且問走獸,走獸必指教你;又問空中的飛鳥,飛鳥必告訴你;或與地說話,地必指教你;海中的魚也必向你說明。看這一切,誰不知道是耶和華的手做成的呢?」(約伯記12章7-9節)這些默想的時刻不僅提升了敬拜和敬畏,還會對我們的心理和情緒健康,有正面、平靜的影響。
像凱特納(Keltner)這樣的研究指出,我們能體驗到敬畏的時候,是當我們放慢腳步,關注大自然,並花時間與所愛的人和家人,在一起的歡笑時刻。這種敬畏來自於,認識到我們是上帝那廣闊、神秘而美麗宇宙的一部分,並且是在祂神聖計劃和永恆目的之中。每一棵樹、每一條小溪和每一個日落都是祂偉大、關愛和創造力活生生的提醒。
作為基督徒商業和專業人士,我們應該花時間欣賞上帝的創造,默想那些經常被忽視的細節。這不僅是遠離忙碌的生活中所需的休息,更是深入了解,上帝在祂話語中所揭示,那愛與智慧的機會。
@2024. Erenia Mendoza是CBMC巴西的總幹事,也是CBMC國際全球領導團隊的成員。
反省與問題討論
第一、當你在工作中感到極大的壓力時,你會如何應對?當這種情況發生時,你通常會使用哪些「減壓方式」呢?
第二、當你置身於大自然中-也許是在附近的公園、登山健行、穿越樹林或只是凝視美麗的湖泊或山頂有白雪的山峯-這會讓你有何感受呢?你是否曾經經歷過本週的週一嗎哪中,所提到的那些平靜效果呢?
第三、你上一次感受到敬畏和驚奇是什麼時候呢?是在哪裡?這是否讓你更接近上帝,更深刻地感受到祂的偉大和創造力呢?我們通常認為,敬拜是發生在我們稱之為「教會」的建築物內。你認為花時間在大自然中,可以增強你對上帝的敬拜嗎?請解釋你的答案。
第四、確實有些人把對自然的關注推到極端,會去崇拜「大自然之母(Mother Nature)」。但這並不意味著,我們不應該花時間,欣賞和享受上帝的創造,並在其中與造物主建立關係。有哪些方法可以在保持正確觀點的同時也做到這一點呢?
挑戰思考
你上一次下決心,要花時間享受上帝的創造是什麼時候?本週花點時間暫停你的職責、截止日期、目標和任務,不僅要觀賞和重新體驗大自然的奇妙,還要為祂所創造的一切禱告和讚美主。當你禱告時,請求上帝讓你體驗祂的平安、安息和喜悅。
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:創世紀1:1-28、詩篇8:1-9)
詩篇139篇7-12節
139:7我往那裡去躲避你的靈?我往那裡逃、躲避你的面?
139:8我若升到天上,你在那裡;我若在陰間下榻,你也在那裡。
139:9我若展開清晨的翅膀,飛到海極居住,
139:10就是在那裡,你的手必引導我;你的右手也必扶持我。
139:11我若說:黑暗必定遮蔽我,我周圍的亮光必成為黑夜;
139:12黑暗也不能遮蔽我,使你不見,黑夜卻如白晝發亮。黑暗和光明,在你看都是一樣。
詩篇145篇8-12節
145:8耶和華有恩惠,有憐憫,不輕易發怒,大有慈愛。
145:9耶和華善待萬民;他的慈悲覆庇他一切所造的。
145:10耶和華啊,你一切所造的都要稱謝你;你的聖民也要稱頌你,
145:11傳說你國的榮耀,談論你的大能,
145:12好叫世人知道你大能的作為,並你國度威嚴的榮耀。
羅馬書1章20節 1:20自從造天地以來,神的永能和神性是明明可知的,雖是眼不能見,但藉著所造之物就可以曉得,叫人無可推諉。
下載 |
BRINGING THE AWE OF CREATION INTO THE WORKPLACE
MONDAY MANNAJun 24, 2024
BRINGING THE AWE OF CREATION INTO THE WORKPLACE
By Erenia Mendoza
Mental and emotional health increasingly are reasons for great concern for every aspect of life. Especially for the demanding, high-pressure, fast-paced global marketplace. The causes are complex. Sometimes, however, solutions can be surprisingly simple.
In his studies on emotion and social interaction, Dr. Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California-Berkeley, highlights the value of using a stress reliever many of us would not consider: Nature. Keltner’s research reveals the direct effects of immersion in nature on people’s cardiovascular and cerebral systems. This experience, he says, not only has a profound impact on our bodies but also influences how we think about ourselves and understand the purpose of our lives.
Keltner’s suggested immersion in nature is not just a secular idea. It is a topic that echoes throughout the Bible. From their opening chapters, the Scriptures reveal to us the grandeur of God’s creation, inviting us to contemplate the immensity of the universe He has prepared for us.
Consider some passages we find in the Scriptures that reinforce the importance of recognizing God’s perfect and divine work, and how they align with Keltner’s observations:
Reflecting on God’s greatness. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1). In light of this scientific inquiry, we find an intriguing parallel with the biblical call to acknowledge the greatness of divine creation. The practice of getting a regular dose of this, as Keltner suggests, aligns with the
Bible’s suggested practice of contemplating the greatness of God:
Imagining God’s love for detail. “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing” (Isaiah 40:26). What detail He has put into His creation!
Reveling in the wonder of God’s creation. “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?” (Job 12:7-9). These moments of contemplation not only promote worship and awe, but also have positive, calming effects on our mental and emotional health.
Studies like Keltner’s point to the awe we can experience when we slow down to pay attention to nature, laugh with loved ones, and spend time with our families. This awe comes from the recognition that we are part of God’s vast, mysterious, and beautiful universe, and His divine plan and eternal purpose. Every tree, stream and sunset are living reminders of His greatness, care, and creativity.
As Christian business and professional people we should take time to admire His creation, contemplating details that often go unnoticed. This is not just a needed break from the hustle and bustle of life but an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of God’s love and wisdom as revealed in His Word.
© 2024. Erenia Mendoza is National Director for CBMC in Brazil and a member of CBMC International’s Global Leadership Team.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. If you find yourself experiencing high levels of stress at work, how do you respond? What kinds of “stress relievers” do you typically utilize when this happens?
2. When you find yourself in the midst of nature – at a local park, going for a hike, walking through a forest, or just gazing across a beautiful lake or at some snow-capped mountains – how does that make you feel? Do you experience any of the calming effects that are suggested in this “Monday Manna”?
3. When was the last time you felt a sense of awe and wonder? When and where was this? Did this serve to draw you closer to God, sensing His greatness and creativity in a deeper, more profound way? We typically think worship occurs within the walls of a building we refer to as the “church.” Do you think spending time in nature can enhance your worship of God? Why or why not?
4. Granted, there are some who take this focus on nature to an extreme, worshiping “Mother Nature.” But this does not mean we should not take time to appreciate and enjoy God’s creation, rejoicing in it and our relationship with its Creator. What are some ways we can do this while maintaining the proper perspective?
Challenge For This Week
When was the last time you determined to spend time enjoying God’s creation? Take some time this week to pause from your responsibilities, deadlines, goals, and objectives not only to look at and recapture the wonder of nature, but also to pray and praise the Lord for all He has made. As you pray, ask God to allow you to experience His peace, rest, and joy.
NOTE:
For more about what the Bible says, consider the following passages:
Genesis 1:1-28; Psalm 8:1-9, 139:7-16, 145:8-12; Romans 1:20
Download |