我們經常犯的心理毛病，就是把不確定的壞因素放到最大，把好的後果低估到最小。最好的策略就是按兵不動，不要改變現況。倘若逼不得已要改變，我們便會忐忑不安。即使事情是沒有機會失敗的，我們不會說「穩操勝券」，祇會說「對前景審慎樂觀」，來掩飾心中對可能失敗的不安。我們美其名為「謙遜」，為「謹慎」，為「作最好的準備，作最壞的打算」。
誠然，耶穌基督曾告誡我們，要「先坐下籌算費用，是否有力完成呢？免得他奠基以後，竟不能完工，所有看見的人都要譏誚他。」（路14:28-29）的確，經過「籌算費用」之後，不是每一個人都會回應天主的召叫。但對那些願意接受邀請的你和我，天主一定寵愛有加，「成全你們各種樂意向善的心，和信德的行為。」（得後1:11）
但世上真的有「穩操勝券」的可能嗎？祇有傻瓜纔會相信有！倘若有，世上還有窮人嗎？
相信天主罷！是有的。難道你沒有聽過「邪不能勝正」嗎？耶穌基督看到自己在十字架上，為我們擊敗了魔鬼，所以祂說：「我看見撒殫如同閃電一般自天跌下。」（路10:18）這場戰爭已勝利了。餘下的工作，是去接收解放了的土地。即是說，往普天下去傳揚福音，建立教會。可能在這接收過程中，會遭遇上零星的反撲。不竟，我們已得到耶穌基督的保証，這是一件穩操勝券的任務，「沒有甚麼能傷害你們。」（10:19）我們還需要畏首畏尾嗎？我們有幸能參予這任務，我們「的名字，已經登記在天上了。」（10:20）我們還需要猶豫不決嗎？
主基督啊！我願意與祢一起並肩作戰，收復失落的樂園。亞孟。
A Sure-Win Battle (Luke 10:17-24)
We often make the following psychological error: overestimating unfavourable outcomes and underestimating good ones. The best strategy is to take no action and to maintain the status quo. If we are forced to make changes, we suffer anxiety. Even if there is no way to lose, we will never say "sure-win". We only say "cautiously optimistic" to cover up our fear of failure. We whitewash this error as "humility", as "prudence" and "to hope for the best but prepare for the worst".
Truly, Jesus has cautioned us to "first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion. Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him." (Luke 14:28-29) Indeed, after "calculating the cost", not everybody would answer God's call. But for those who are willing to accept the invitation, God will provide sufficient grace to "make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfilment every good purpose and every effort of faith." (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
Is it possible for "sure-win" to exist on earth? Only idiots would believe! If there were, would poverty exist on earth?
Believe in God! There is! Have you not heard that "the good will always prevail"? Jesus Christ saw how he himself defeat Satan on the cross. Thus he said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky." (Luke 10:18) The battle has already won. The remaining task is to reclaim the liberated land. That is to say, go and make disciples of all nations, to build up the Church. Probably, in the process of reclamation, we may meet sporadic resistance. After all, we have the guarantee from Jesus Christ. It is a sure-win mission, "Nothing will harm you." (10:19) Shall we be hesitant? We are privileged to partake in the mission, our "names are written in heaven." (10:20) Shall we be undecided?
Lord Jesus Christ! I am willing to fight alongside with you to reclaim the lost paradise. Amen.
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