◆“最上の誉め言葉”を聞けるように◆ So that you can hear “the best words of praise”◆

December 08, 2023

◆“最上の誉め言葉”を聞けるように◆ So that you can hear “the best words of praise”◆

◆“最上の誉め言葉”を聞けるように◆

　誰かにこう言われる“ワケ”になるのを目指しましょう。

　「あなたのおかげで、諦めずに済んだた」と――。

　「ワケ」とシンプルに訳した原語reasonリーズンは、「根拠、理由、前提」を示す言葉です。これって、ある意味最高の誉め言葉だと思いませんか？　自分の存在が、誰かの役に立つことほどうれしいことはありませんから。

　困っていた誰かにこう言ってもらうためには、あなたは絶えずその人を励まし、寄り添い、必要なら時間、労力、時には財をその人のために喜んで用いなければなりません。時にはじっくり話を聴いて、時には一緒に泣いて、時には手を取り合って喜んで、そして時には心を合わせて祈って――。

　その人は諦めかけていたのです。ひょっとして人生そのものを、「もうダメ。もう限界。」と――。それが、あなたがそこに“いた”おかげで、ぎりぎり一歩手前でとどまれました。もう一度やり直す勇気をもらえたのです。あなたの存在は、まさしく”値千金”、いいえ、お金では買えられないほど価値のあるものだったでしょう。

　けれど、その人の「あなたのおかげ」のひと言は、あなたにとっても”値千金”となるはずです。なぜなら、その結果、一番勇気をもらえるのはあなたですから。生きることに自信を失いかけていたのは他ならぬあなた自身かもしれない。でもその一言で、あなたも確信できるのです。「私も誰かの役に立てる。私も生きていていいんだ」と――。

　聖書はこれを「愛」と呼びます。「愛」は動詞です。誰かのために実際に労苦をして、初めて「愛」なのです。その愛の根拠reasonは神様。それを世界に示してくださったのがクリスマスです。もし相手の方がまだイエス様を信じていなかったら、ぜひこの言葉で紹介してあげてください。この先またどんなことが起こっても、絶対に諦めることのない究極の“ワケ”であるこのお方を――。

　（Ⅰペテロ5:10）「あらゆる恵みに満ちた神、すなわち、あなたがたをキリストにあって永遠の栄光の中に招き入れてくださった神ご自身が、あなたがたをしばらくの苦しみの後で回復させ、堅く立たせ、強くし、不動の者としてくださいます。」

Aim to be the reason that someone says: "Because of you, I didn't give up."

◆So that you can hear “the best words of praise”◆

Let's aim to be the reason someone says this to me.

"Thanks to you, I didn't have to give up," she said.

The original word "reason", which is simply translated as "wake", is a word that indicates "ground, reason, premise". Don't you think this is the best compliment in a sense? Nothing makes me happier than knowing that my existence is of use to someone.

To get someone to say this to someone in need, you must constantly encourage them, be there for them, and be willing to spend your time, effort, and sometimes money on their behalf if necessary. Sometimes we listen carefully, sometimes we cry together, sometimes we hold hands and rejoice, and sometimes we pray together.

　The person was about to give up. Maybe life itself is like, ``I can't do this anymore. I've reached my limit.'' Thanks to you being there, I was able to stay just one step away. It gave me the courage to try again. Your existence was truly priceless, no, it was so valuable that money could not buy it.

However, the words ``Thanks to you'' from that person will be ``worth a fortune'' to you as well. Because as a result, you are the one who will receive the most courage. You may be the one who is losing confidence in life. But with just one word, you can be sure. ``I can help someone, too. I'm fine with being alive, too.''

The Bible calls this "love." "Love" is a verb. It is only when you actually toil for someone that you truly feel love. The reason for that love is God. Christmas showed this to the world. If the other person does not yet believe in Jesus, please use these words to introduce him or her. No matter what happens in the future, this person who is the ultimate "why" will never give up.

(1 Peter 5:10) “The God who is full of all grace, who called you into eternal glory in Christ, will bring you to Himself after a little suffering. He restores me, establishes me, makes me strong, and makes me steadfast.”

Aim to be the reason that someone says: "Because of you, I didn't give up."