Every so often that people talk about wanting to retire from their job early and “enjoy” life. Some succeeded, some failed and others are left wondering what happened. Well, they have a foretaste of it courtesy of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic forced a period of “no work” and staying in at home. At the beginning, many were “enjoying” the “freedom” of lazing around. Soon enough, reality sets in. Many became bored, not knowing what to do? They were totally unprepared for this “forced slow down.” One cannot do as they pleased, nor go as they want. There was nothing planned in their lives for the unexpected sudden lockdown. Students and working adults alike scrambled for IT equipment for learning and work. What do they do with so much “free” time on their hands now? Some of them had found themselves inadequate as they are not prepared to “jump” into the digital world. Just saying you do not know how to use a computer or IT gadget is not going to cut it as there will be very little help all of a sudden. The steep learning curve will have to be climbed very quickly, like it or not.

We have to think very carefully what we talk and ask for, because we may just get it before we are prepared for it. Retirement is not to be a frivolous word to just mutter out. For many, it must be thought of very carefully and start preparing from a very early stage of working life.

The work of the Lord cannot be put off till a later time when we are “more free” to do. Rarely, there will come a time when we will be “more free”. As the bible warns us that the servant must keep alert for the return of the master and not slack, it is prudent for us to keep alert. We should give the best time to the Lord and not giving “leftovers” to Him.

Brothers and sisters, we must work while it is still day. Night is coming when no work can be done. Concentrate on what is important (evangelism and discipleship). Do not get distracted by the peripheral issues (LGBTQ, gender equality, etc). Those issues are not important compared with the eternal life of a person. Concentrate and focus.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

经常听到有人说要提早从工作中退休，然后“享受”生活。有的成功了，有的却失败，留下其他的人就疑惑发生了什么事。因着2019年冠状疫情，他们预先尝到所谓退休生活了。

疫情迫使人进入“没有工作”并留守在家的时期。起初，很多人会“享受”懒散的“自由”，但很快的就回到现实。很多人开始烦闷，不知该作些什么？他们对这“被迫放慢”的状态完全没有预备。没有人可以随心所欲，或任意而行。他们的生活中，对突如其来的封锁并没有任何防备。学生和工作人士同样为学习及工作所需的讯息科技器具而忙乱。他们如何看待手上宽裕的“空闲”时间？当中有些人因为没有预备好“投入”数码世界而发现自己的不足。到处说你不会使用电脑或讯息科技器具是没用的；因为你会很突然的感觉无助也发现无人会伸出援手。无论喜欢与否，都必须很快的爬上陡斜的曲线。

我们对所说及所要求的，都要经过清楚的思考，因为我们可能提出要求却还没来得及作好预备就实现了。退休不是一个随口嘀咕的轻浮词句。对很多人来说，它必须经过深思熟虑，也必须在工作生涯的很早期就开始作准备。

主的工作不能被忽略至我们“比较清闲”的时候才去行。甚少有这样的一段时间是我们“比较清闲”的。圣经也警告我们，仆人不能散漫，一定要儆醒等候主人的归来，我们必须保持谨慎。我们应当将最好而不是“剩余”的时间献给主。

弟兄姐妹，我们要趁着白日做工，黑夜将来临就没有人能做工了。要专注在重要的事上（传福音及门徒训练）。不要被外在的因素分散注意力（性取向课题，性别平等，等等）。那些课题对比一个人的永恒生命并不重要。要集中并专注。

上帝赐福，
主里同工的，

Barry Leong