10月11日

標 題：靈性的預備

經 節：她們去買的時候，新郎到了。那預備好了的，同他進去坐席，門就關了。（馬太福音廿五章10節）

靈性的預備是沒有代替品的。靈性的預備裝備你面對意料之外的危險及良機。如果你尚未預備好，你將容易因生命中意外事件的發生，而受到傷害。

耶穌曾經以一個比喻來教導這個真理。十個童女等待新郎的到來，好與新郎及新娘一起慶祝。其中五個童女已經為自己的燈，準備好足夠的油，另外五位並沒有準備好，所以她們倉促地跑出去買油。當她們離開的時候，新郎到了。那五個預備好的童女就與新郎一同進去房子裡慶祝。等那五位買油的童女回來時，大門已經關上，她們無法進去一同慶祝。

倘若危險臨到時，你的靈性已經預備妥當，你就不用臨時再拚命去與基督創建良好的關係，好幫助自己熬過這段死蔭幽谷。倘若你突然有機會向未信者分享自己的信心，你會被裝備好面對這個機會。倘若在崇拜時，你的靈性已經預備好，你絕對不會錯過迎見神的機會。倘若你遇見一個心靈憂傷的人，你被聖靈充滿，你將能提供更多的幫助。倘若你的生命已經創建了預防措施，你將不會被試探所引誘。

基督徒失去許多經歷神的機會，因為他們不願意花時間與神創建關係。如果你尚未養成每日禱告讀經的習慣，何不現在就開始呢？這麼一來，你就預備好，可以面對人生的挑戰。

Spiritual Preparation

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10)

There is no substitute for spiritual preparation. Spiritual preparation equips you for unforeseen crises or opportunities. However, if you are unprepared you will be vulnerable in life’s unexpected events.

Jesus told a parable that teaches this truth. Ten virgins were awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom so that they could celebrate with him and his bride. Five of them prepared in advance and brought an adequate supply of oil for their lamps. The other five were not prepared, so they rushed out to buy additional lamp oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The five who had planned ahead entered into the house with him, but the door was closed against the five who were not ready, and they missed the celebration.

If you are spiritually prepared when a crisis comes, you will not have to try to develop instantly the quality of relationship with Christ that can sustain you. If you suddenly have an opportunity to share your faith with an unbeliever, you will be equipped to do so. If you enter a time of worship spiritually prepared, you will not miss an encounter with God. If you are spiritually filled when you meet a person in sorrow, you will have much to offer. If you have established safeguards in your life in advance, you will not give in to temptation.

Christians lose many opportunities to experience God’s activity because they have not devoted enough time to their relationship with God. If you have not yet developed the habit of daily prayer and Bible study, why not begin now, so that you will be equipped for whatever life brings?