Chatty Bus 聊天巴士
Dexu Xia
Let your conversation be always full of grace. Colossians 4:6
In 2019, the Oxford Bus Company launched the instantly popular “Chatty Bus,” a bus with designated people on board willing to talk with interested passengers. The route was initiated in response to government research which found that 30 percent of Britons go at least one day each week without a meaningful conversation.
Many of us have likely experienced the loneliness that comes from not having someone to talk to in a time of need. As I reflect on the value of important conversations in my life, I’m especially reminded of discussions that were full of grace. Those times brought me joy and encouragement, and they helped to cultivate deeper relationships.
At the end of his letter to the Colossian church, Paul encouraged his readers with principles of authentic living for believers in Jesus, including ways our conversations can exhibit love to everyone we encounter. The apostle wrote, “Let your conversation be always full of grace” (4:6), reminding his readers that it is not simply the presence of words but the quality of those words—“full of grace”—that would allow them to be a true encouragement to others.
The next time you have the opportunity to connect deeply in conversation—with a friend, co-worker, or even a stranger seated next to you on a bus or in a waiting room—look for ways your time together might bring blessing into both of your lives.
When have you experienced the blessing of grace-filled words? How might you extend encouragement to someone today through what you say?
Heavenly Father, help me to be a blessing to everyone I speak with today, filling these conversations with Your grace.
你们的言语要常常带着和气。—歌罗西书4章6节
在2019年，英国的牛津巴士公司展开“聊天巴士”的计划，并且很快就广受民众欢迎。这种巴士上有志工（或称义工），他们会主动跟那些想要与人交谈的乘客聊天。这个计划的启动，是因为政府的一项调查发现，有30%的英国人每周至少有一天，未能和他人进行有意义的交谈，深感寂寞。
我们当中许多人可能都曾感到寂寞孤单，特别是在有需要的时候，找不到一个能够倾诉或交谈的对象。当我反思人生中一些重要的谈话何等宝贵时，就特别容易想起那些言语温和的对话。那些对话为我带来喜乐与鼓励，而且有助于培养更深的关系。
在写给歌罗西教会的书信中，保罗在结尾部分勉励读者活出基督徒应有的生命，包括以谈话向我们遇到的每一个人展现爱心。使徒保罗写道：“你们的言语要常常带着和气”（4章6节），他提醒读者真正能鼓励他人的言语，并不仅仅在于内容，也在于说话的语气──“带着和气”。
下次你若有机会与人进行深入的交谈，无论是朋友或同事，或是在巴士上和等候室里坐在你旁边的陌生人，你都可以寻找合宜的方式，让你们相处的时间为彼此的生命带来祝福。
你何时曾经历温和的话语所带来的祝福？
今天你如何用你所说的话来鼓励人？
天父，求祢帮助我，
让我能把祝福带给每一个跟我谈话的人，
使这些对话充满祢的恩典。