The Course of a Lifetime 一生的追求
Dexu Xia
Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest. 2 Chronicles 24:2
“There are different questions a young artist can ask,” says singer-songwriter Linford Detweiler of eclectic folk duo Over the Rhine. “One is, ‘What must I do to be famous?’ ” Detweiler warns that such a goal “swings the door open to all manner of destructive forces from both within and without.” He and his wife have instead chosen a less flashy musical road in which they “continue to grow over the course of an entire lifetime.”
The name Jehoiada isn’t readily recognized, yet it’s synonymous with a lifetime of dedication to God. He served as priest during the reign of King Joash, who for the most part ruled well—thanks to Jehoiada.
When Joash was just seven years old, Jehoiada had been the catalyst in installing him as rightful king (2 Kings 11:1–16). But this was no power grab. At Joash’s coronation, Jehoiada “made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people” (v. 17). He kept his word, implementing badly needed reforms. “As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 24:14). For his dedication, Jehoiada “was buried with the kings in the City of David” (v. 16).
Eugene Peterson calls such a God-focused life “a long obedience in the same direction.” Ironically, it’s such obedience that stands out in a world bent on fame, power, and self-fulfillment.
How would you describe the direction of your life to this point? What changes might you want to ask God to help you make?
Dear God, help me pursue You and Your wisdom for my life instead of the fleeting things I’ve been seeking.
司耶何耶大在世的时候，约阿施行耶和华眼中看为正的事。—历代志下24章2节
美国一支夫妻乐队（Over the Rhine）经常发表颇受好评的歌曲。这支乐队原本是四人组，创立之初并不受欢迎，后来只剩下这对夫妻坚持走下去，最后成为知名的乐队。这位做丈夫的表示，有些年轻的艺术家会想知道要如何才能迅速成名，有些想知道如何持续创作，在一生中继续成长。但他认为一心追求成名可能会让自己的身心饱受伤害，于是他和妻子选择了一条较平凡的成长之路，一生献身于音乐创作。
在圣经中耶何耶大并不出名，但他可说是将一生奉献给上帝的人。他在约阿施王统治时期担任祭司，而约阿施多年来治国有方，耶何耶大绝对功不可没。
耶何耶大在约阿施七岁时，便拥立他成为犹大的国王（列王纪下11章1-16节），但他并没有夺取王权。耶何耶大为约阿施加冕时，“使王和民与耶和华立约，作耶和华的民”（17节）。他信守承诺，实施改革，所以“耶何耶大在世的时候，众人常在耶和华殿里献燔祭”（历代志下24章14节）。耶何耶大的忠心，使他得以“葬在大卫城列王的坟墓里”（16节）。耶何耶大这种以上帝为中心的生命，毕德生牧师称之为“恒久专一的顺服”。在现今这个一心追求名望、权力和自我实现的世界里，这种顺服显得弥足珍贵。
你会如何描述你现在的生活方向？
你会祈求上帝帮助你作出哪些改变？
亲爱的上帝，求祢帮助我一生寻求祢和祢的智慧，而不是追求那些转瞬即逝的事物。