Surviving and Thriving 彼此建立
Dexu Xia
The whole body . . . grows and builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:16
The Croods, an animated caveman family, believe that “the only way to survive is if the pack [their small family] stays together.” They’re afraid of the world and others, so when looking for a safe place to live they’re filled with fear after discovering a strange family already in the area they’ve chosen. But they soon learn to embrace the differences of their new neighbors, draw strength from them, and survive together. They find that they actually enjoy them and that they do need others to live life fully.
It can be risky to be in relationship—people can and do hurt us. Yet it’s for good reason God put His people together in a body, the church. In fellowship with others, we grow to maturity (Ephesians 4:13). We learn to depend on Him to help us be “humble and gentle” and “patient” (v. 2). We help each other by building each other up “in love” (v. 16). When we gather together, we use our gifts and learn from others who use theirs, which in turn equips us in our walk with God and service for Him.
As He leads you, look for your place among God’s people if you haven’t found it yet. You’ll do more than survive; in shared love you’ll bring honor to God and grow to be more like Jesus. And may we all depend on Him as we walk through a growing relationship with Jesus and others.
Who are you walking through life with? How might you more deeply develop those relationships?
I love being a part of Your family, God. Help me fill my place well so that I might grow and help others to know You better.
全身都⋯⋯渐渐增长，在爱中建立自己。—以弗所书4章16节
古鲁家族是一部动画片中的原始人家庭，他们深信“唯一的生存之道就是一家人团结在一起”。他们害怕这个世界和其他人，所以在寻找安全的住所时，他们发现已经有一个陌生的家庭居住在那个地区，便感到十分恐惧。但他们很快就学会接受新邻居的不同之处，学习对方的优点，与对方共同生存。后来，他们发现其实和新邻居在一起很快乐，而且确实需要和别人一起生活，才会过得充实。
建立关系可能会有风险，因人们能够而且确实会伤害我们。但上帝让祂的子民一起成为一个身体，也就是教会，却有祂的美意。在信仰旅程中与人结伴同行时，我们会渐渐成熟（以弗所书4章13节），学会倚靠上帝帮助我们“谦虚、温柔、忍耐”（2节）。我们藉着“在爱中”彼此建立来互相帮助（16节）。当众信徒聚集在一起时，我们可以使用自己的恩赐，同时也向其他使用自己恩赐的人学习，这能装备我们继续与上帝同行并服事祂。
如果你还没固定参与某个教会或团契，盼望你能留意上帝的引导。不要做一个仅仅得救的基督徒，而要与人在爱中彼此分享，那么你就能荣耀上帝并变得越来越像耶稣。愿我们都倚靠上帝，与耶稣和其他人的关系日益增长。
你正与哪些人同行人生旅程？
你如何更深入地发展这些关系？
上帝，感谢祢让我成为祢家中的一员。求祢帮助我，让我能克尽其职，使我成长并引领人更认识祢。