29/10/2023
HOLD FAST! 持守美善
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. (1 Th 5:21)
The word "hold" originally means to "prevent," "hinder," or "possess." It can also be translated as "preserve." Imagine a wine enthusiast at a sale, knowing that good wine is hard to find. If they taste something delicious, they wouldn't hesitate to make a reservation. Delaying it and being found out later would lead to regrets.
Good affairs, things and people are meant to be treasured, or they slip away. Even things we've had for years can be lost if we don't keep them carefully. This includes our youthful energy, curiosity, imperfect but unforgettable companions, and even talents we've neglected. Many people think this is just a part of life, but I believe it's a true reflection of many people, the good thing is not something they should quickly give up.
Recently, I watched the documentary "BECKHAM" on a streaming platform. (To be honest, I'm not a football fan, so I don't know much about him.) His mistake, at the age of 24, broke the nation's heart. He faced widespread ridicule and insults every day. If he had given up and to conform to public opinion, it would have been a common outcome. Despite support from Sir Ferguson and his teammates, what hurt him the most was his self-doubt. However, what's truly remarkable is not only his football skills , but that he held onto his passion for playing football. Some say it's because he had strong mental qualities, but those assessments usually come after the fact, aren’t they? What about a mother who considers herself weak and timid but rushes to save her child when her child’s life is threatened? How would you evaluate her mental qualities?
Life moves fast, and we should take some time to think about what's worth preserving. We should hold onto what we can, and things that have lasting value and meaning. The curiosity when we were young? The attitude to challenge yourself? Or the “never surrender”attitude of Churchill, or the sacrificial spirit of Mrs. Godiva? These qualities could be in us who just mediocrity . Don't keep them locked in a statue; but keep them alive in your daily life and bless those around you.
Finally, let's talk about someone who's been trending online recently and she is growing in the face of adversity, Chloe Pomfret. She comes from a broken family, kicked out of home by her alcoholic father, and at 16 she was homeless. Her only support, her grandfather, passed away early. Despite this, she held onto her future and fought for a chance to get into Oxford University. While she was only enrolled by the school with benefits, her grades surpassed many. Her academic abilities might not be the best, but if "overcoming adversity" were a subject, she would be a Ph.D. in that. What's important is that she, despite her below-average circumstances, she didn't give up on determination and hope for good things. Of course, having supportive and loving people around you is crucial. When such people and acts become more common in a community, it builds a society that's kind and full of vitality. And each one of you can be a part of it.
21 但凡事要察驗：美善的事要持守，（帖前5.21）
「持守」這字的原意，有「防止」、「隱藏」「管有」等的意味。或者中文翻譯作「保存」會比較貼切。我們可以想像其情境，就好像一位名酒採購者走進展銷會中，深知好酒難求；若嚐到美味，就會毫不猶豫地落訂金。若遲延又被行家發現，就後悔莫及了。
好的事、物、人，都是要珍惜的，不然，他們會溜走的。就算有些事物已經擁有多年，也會因為沒有好好守住而流走。好像，年輕時的體魄、對事物的好奇感、非完美但忘不了的伴侶，甚至放下了的天賦才華。很多人都覺得，這是人生中自然的事。可是我只認為這是很多人的寫照，其實人是不應快快就放棄自己覺得美好的事。
近來筆者在串流平台中，看了「碧咸傳」Beckham（坦白說，我不算是足球迷，對他的事一知半解。）錯誤的一腳令全國人心破碎，當年他只是24歲。之後每天迎著他的，是舖天蓋地的嘲笑和粗言。就算他順應民意而放棄，是正常的劇本。雖然有費格遜的維護，及隊員們的見義勇為，但傷透的乃是他的自己。可是事情最後，令人刮目相看的，除了是他的球技，更是他守住要踢足球的心志。有說：是的，因為他有很好的心理質素。只是，有關心理質素的評價，總是事後才提出的。是嗎？平時自覺軟弱膽怯的媽媽，眼見她的嬰孩受生命威脅時，就撲去救他。她的心理質素如何？
生活怱怱，我們當用一點時間，去想想有什麼是值得保存的。保存我們能守住的，且有長久價值和意義的。少年的好奇心？挑戰自己的態度？或是邱吉爾的永不言敗，甚至戈黛娃夫人的犧牲精神？平凡的你與我可能都有過。不要讓它們封存在銅像裡，而應保持在生活中，以致令周圍的人得祝福。
最後想談及一位近來網上被熱搜，但卻無人想像迎難而上地成長的Chloe Pomfret。破碎家庭、酗酒又趕走自己的父親， 16歲以街為家，唯一接納她的爺爺卻提早離世。她卻守住自己的將來，爭取牛津大學入學機會。雖然最後只是被恩恤入學，但成績已比很多人好。她讀書的素質未必最高，但，若然「逆境人生」是學科之一，他己經是這科的哲學博士了。重點是，低於平凡的她，沒有因際遇而放棄毅力、盼望這些美善的事。當然，在周圍有一樣堅持美善、友愛之人們的援手，也是很重要的。這樣的人，這樣的事在社群裡增多，就構成是美善、有活力的社會。而且，你們每位也可以是主角。
