Success and Sacrifice 成功与牺牲
Dexu Xia
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 1 John 3:16
During a summer study program, my son read a book about a boy who wanted to climb an Alpine mountain in Switzerland. Practicing for this goal occupied most of his time. When he finally set off for the summit, things didn’t go as planned. Partway up the slope, a teammate became sick and the boy decided to stay behind to help instead of achieving his goal.
In the classroom, my son’s teacher asked, “Was the main character a failure because he didn’t climb the mountain?” One student said, “Yes, because it was in his DNA to fail.” But another child disagreed. He reasoned that the boy was not a failure, because he gave up something important to help someone else.
When we set aside our plans and care for others instead, we’re acting like Jesus. Jesus sacrificed having a home, reliable income, and social acceptance to travel and share God’s truth. Ultimately, He gave up His life to free us from sin and show us God’s love (1 John 3:16).
Earthly success is much different from success in God’s eyes. He values the compassion that moves us to rescue disadvantaged and hurting people (v. 17). He approves of decisions that protect people. With God’s help, we can align our values with His and devote ourselves to loving Him and others, which is the most significant achievement there is.
How has the quest for success affected your life? Why is it sometimes difficult to align our values with what matters to God?
Heavenly Father, I want to be successful in Your eyes. Teach me how to love others the way You love me.
主为我们舍命，我们从此就知道何为爱。—约翰一书3章16节
在一个暑期课程中，我儿子按老师的要求读了一本书，书中讲述一个男孩想要攀登瑞士阿尔卑斯山。这男孩用了大部分的时间为此目标而勤奋练习，当他终于动身出发，准备登山时，事情却未能如计划进行。在登山途中，一位队友生病了，这个男孩决定留下来照顾他，而不是达成自己的目标。
在课堂上，我儿子的老师问道：“书中主角因为没有成功登顶，就是个失败者吗？”一位同学说：“是啊，因他是天生的失败者。”但另一位同学却不同意，他认为男孩并不是失败者，因为他是为了帮助别人而放弃了自己所看重的事情。
当我们搁置自己的计划，转而关心别人时，便是效法耶稣。耶稣离开温暖的家，放弃可靠的收入和社会的认可，走遍各城各乡向人传讲上帝的真理。最终，祂牺牲自己的生命，救我们脱离罪恶，向我们彰显上帝的爱（约翰一书3章16节）。
世人追求的成功和上帝眼中的成功大相径庭。上帝看重的是怜恤，这能驱使我们去帮助弱势和受到伤害的人（17节），祂喜悦我们选择去保护别人。藉着上帝的帮助，我们可以让自己的价值观与祂的价值观保持一致，以至能尽心尽力地爱主、爱人，这才是最重要的成就。
追求成功曾如何影响你的生活？
为何有时我们很难与上帝的价值观保持一致？
爱是一种恩赐，也是一种生活方式。