有時，屬靈信息會意外地出現在完全料想不到之處，比如出現在漫畫書裡。漫威漫畫的出版者史丹．李（Stan Lee）在2018年過世，留給世人許多他所創造的超級英雄，像蜘蛛人、鋼鐵人、神奇四俠、浩克和其他許多英雄人物。

這位掛著笑容、戴著墨鏡的著名漫畫家有一句名言，在他連載數十年的漫威漫畫的每月專欄上，他都會寫上精益求精（excelsior）。他在2010年的一則推特貼文上解釋了它的含義：「『奮力向上、勇往直前，追求更大的榮耀！』這就是我每次發布貼文時，對你們的勉勵。精益求精！」

我喜歡這個做法。無論史丹．李有沒有發現，他使用這句特別的名言，都呼應了保羅在腓立比書所做的論述。保羅勸告信徒不要向後看，而是要往前、往上看。保羅說：「我只有一件事，就是忘記背後，努力面前的，向著標竿直跑，要得上帝在基督耶穌裡從上面召我來得的獎賞。」（3章13-14節）

我們很容易陷入後悔或質疑過去的決定。但在基督裡，我們可以領受上帝賜下的饒恕和生命的意義，放下遺憾，奮力向上、勇往直前，使上帝得到更大的榮耀。精益求精！

Sometimes surprisingly spiritual messages turn up in unexpected places, like in a comic book, for example. Marvel Comics publisher Stan Lee passed away in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of such iconic heroes as Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, and many others.

The famously smiling man with sunglasses had a personal catchphrase that he used to sign off in monthly columns in Marvel comics for decades—the word excelsior. In a 2010 tweet, Lee explained its meaning: “ ‘Upward and onward to greater glory!’ That’s what I wish you whenever I finish tweeting! Excelsior!”

I like that. Whether Stan Lee realized it or not, his use of this unusual catchphrase certainly resonates with what Paul wrote in Philippians as he admonished believers to look not behind but ahead—and up: “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (3:13-14 esv).

We can easily become entangled in regrets or second-guessing past decisions. But in Christ, we’re invited to relinquish regrets and to press upward and onward to God’s greater glory through embracing the forgiveness and purpose He so graciously gives us! Excelsior!