在2011年，我們夫妻倆經歷十年膝下無子的生活後，選擇去一個新的國家重新開始。儘管這次搬遷令人興奮，但這也代表我必須離開深愛的廣播事業。當時我感到迷惘，於是便徵求我朋友禮安的意見。

我沮喪地告訴禮安：「我不知道我的使命是什麼了！」他問：「你不在這裡做廣播了嗎？」我說對。他緊接著問：「你的婚姻狀況如何？」我有點訝異他改變話題，但仍告訴他，我和茉琳過得很好。我們一起傷心難過，但在磨難中更加親密。

他微笑著說：「委身是福音的核心。許多人都需要看到像你們這樣對婚姻完全委身！或許你沒有意識到，除了你所做的事，單單是你的為人，就已經帶來意想不到的影響。」

當困難的服事環境讓提摩太灰心喪氣時，使徒保羅沒有給他設立工作目標。相反地，保羅鼓勵提摩太過敬虔的生活，透過言談、行為、愛心、信心和純潔樹立榜樣（提摩太前書4章12-13、15節）。他藉著敬虔的生活，帶給人最美好的影響。

我們很容易以自己的事業成功與否來評價我們的生活，其實最重要的是我們的品格。我也曾忘記這一點。但一句真心話、一個仁慈之舉，甚至一段委身的婚姻，都可以帶來巨大的改變──因為透過這些，上帝自己的美善會觸動世界。

In 2011, after a decade of childlessness, my wife and I chose to start afresh in a new country. Exciting as the move was, it required my leaving a broadcast career, which I missed. Feeling lost, I asked my friend Liam for advice.

“I don’t know what my calling is anymore,” I told Liam dejectedly.

“You’re not broadcasting here?” he asked. I said I wasn’t.

“And how is your marriage?”

Surprised at his change of topic, I told Liam that Merryn and I were doing well. We’d faced heartbreak together but emerged closer through the ordeal.

“Commitment is the core of the gospel,” he said, smiling. “Oh, how the world needs to see committed marriages like yours! You may not realize the impact you’re having already, beyond what you do, simply by being who you are.”

When a difficult work situation left Timothy dejected, the apostle Paul didn’t give him career goals. Instead, he encouraged Timothy to live a godly life, setting an example through his speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Timothy 4:12–13, 15). He would best impact others by living faithfully.

It’s easy to value our lives based on our career success when what matters most is our character. I had forgotten that. But a word of truth, a gracious act, even a committed marriage can bring great change—because through them something of God’s own goodness touches the world.