Word from the SENIOR pastor

February 26, 2012

In his book “The six pillars of self-esteem”, Nathaniel Brandon said, “The turbulence of our times demands strong selves with a clear sense of identity, competence and worth. With a breakdown of cultural consensus, and absence of worthy role models, little in the public arena that inspire our allegiance, and disorientingly rapid change a permanent feature of our lives, it is a dangerous moment in history not to know who we are or not to trust ourselves. The stability we cannot find in the world we must create within our own persons. To face life with low self-esteem is to be at a severe disadvantage.” While I agree with Brandon’s idea of the importance of a clear sense of identity, competence and worth, I disagree with his humanistic philosophy. As I read the story of Daniel, Shadrach, Mashach and Abednego, it becomes clear to me that their faith in God has made them strong. They trusted in God, not in themselves. Under the most adverse circumstances, they did not psychologically create an ivory tower of stability within themselves. All of their wisdom, peace, and self-esteem come from God. The best thing for us to do in life is to trust in the Lord. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

牧者心聲 

二零一二年二月二十六日

在他的著作“自尊的六大支柱”裏，布蘭登（Nathaniel Brandon）說，“在我們這個動盪時代，人人都要有一個明確的身份，發奮自強和自我肯定。在文化意識崩潰，缺乏為人師表的情況下，公眾場合中能夠激發精忠情懷的人簡直是鳳毛麟角；再加上，迅速萬變是現今勢所必然的生活方式，我們面對著一個歷史性的時刻；倘若我們不知道自己是誰，又不信賴自己的話，那是岌岌可危的。我們必須在自己裡面去創造一個外面世界所不能給我們的安心立命的領域。以缺乏自尊的態度去面對人生是極之不利的。” 雖然我同意布蘭登的一些看法，明確的身份、發奮自強、和自我肯定是重要的；但是我不同意他的人本哲學。 當我讀但以理、沙得拉、米煞、和亞伯尼歌的故事，我就看見一個明顯的事實，這些人的力量是來自他們對神的信心。他們信靠的是神，不是自己。在極其惡劣的環境底下，他們並非依靠自己的心理作用去創造一個安心立命的象牙塔。他們所有的智慧， 平安 和自尊都是神賜給他們的。人生最好的事情就是信靠神。“你要專心仰賴耶和華，不可倚靠自己的聰明；在你一切所行的事上，都要認定他，他必指引你的路。” （箴言3:5-6）



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