五旬节廿一

那人撒种，这人收割

——约翰福音四章卅七节

我们收割的庄稼，往往是前人撒下的种子；我们在工作或事业上的成就，总是包含着别人的汗水和辛劳。

没有前人架设的人梯，我们决难攀登峰顶；没有他人用成功与失败铺成的路石，我们也决难跑完这最后一段胜利者的途程。

我们所享受的，每每是别人的劳苦；酿成我们欢乐的，往往又是别人的泪水与辛酸。

在永世的宝座前，我们之所以要脱下自己的冠冕，因为配得荣耀的惟有我主；而冠冕上的颗颗宝石，又凝聚着别人的劳苦与心血。

Pentecost 21

John 4:37

One sows and another reaps

  The crops we harvest have often grown from seed planted by others. Our achievements are built upon the sweat and strain of other people.

  If others had not built the stairs, we would find it very difficult to scale the heights. If others had not paved the road through their successes and failures, it would be impossible for us to run the final length and emerge victorious.

  Everything we enjoy has come about through the toil of others; it is always by virtue of the tears and misery of others that we gain happiness.

  We take off our crowns before the eternal throne because only God deserves the glory. Each precious jewel on each crown is formed of the blood and sweat of others.