早前在小組中由弟兄分享自己與太太偶爾會一起分享查經心得。謹記下兩星期前我們在咖啡室中對於希伯來書第一章的一些觀察。
Observation
你們看天上的飛鳥，牠們不種，不收，也不在倉裡積存糧食，你們的天父尚且養活牠們，難道你們還不如飛鳥貴重嗎？ 你們誰能用憂慮使自己多活片刻呢？
以往閱讀舊約聖經時，總是對於出埃及記的以色列人不以為然——為什麼上帝明明應許有充足的供應，卻仍然不注地積蓄嗎哪？那時我認為信賴上主的供應並不是什麼困難的事，只需要好好讀書，努力工作，自然就會有足夠的供應面對日常開支。
離開故鄉之後其中一個深刻感受是自己對於物質的憂慮多了。由於失去了很多以往珍貴的東西，我所能僅僅抓住的只有少數的東西，而銀行帳戶內的金錢正是其中之一。不論是車輛的開支、應付突發家居維修、又或者是應對長遠打算等等，金錢成為了其中一個使我安心的重要元素。
每次在教會崇拜講道中，往往也會刺激反思自己對此的態度。但是面對生活的挑戰時，抓實金錢又似乎成為了最理性的選擇。現在回想，我想自己心底裏隱藏着一種極大的憂慮，就是擔心人生會出錯，最終一無所有。
最近幾個月因為尚未確定太太在教師合約完結後的去向，內心總是有一種壓抑的感受。一方面提醒自己該處之泰然，但另一方面卻有總是在憂慮「假如。。。」的話，我該怎麼辦。憂慮了幾個月後，太太獲得一份長約，總算放下心頭大石。就在那一個星期，我們收到來自稅局的退稅通知 ─ 由於早前多繳交稅款，所以現在退回給我倆。這件小事令我想起牧師兩星期前的分享。或許生命總會發生難以預期的事情，但是上帝卻常常在不經意中提醒我們他是那位愛我們的主，他知道我們所憂心的是什麼。
最後想分享一件頗為諷刺的事情。正當我非常憂慮未來數個月的開支時，我驚覺投資戶口(VWRP+VAGS)因為AI 浪潮而有一些增長。那刻我發覺原來內心的憂慮並不因為帳面數字而減少，反而常常擔心明天後天的需要。。。。，
數星期前在coaching 中提到自己對於快樂以及滿足感的一些想法，在過程中帶出另外的一些思考。在早前所預備的生命線當中，我發覺自己的分享側重於過往擁有什麼，而現在失去什麼。在構思生命線的過程中我似乎並沒有花太多筆墨於感恩現時所擁有的人、事、物。此外，我發覺自己原來尚未完全處理好那種失去以及隨之而來的思緒。
在人生路途上總是會有得有失，選擇了向西，自然就不能欣賞東邊的美景；決定了採取方案一，同樣代表放棄了方案二的得與失。我想其中一個自己需要學習的功課為好好欣賞過往數年的努力，不要將昔日與現在放於天秤的亮端，期待五年後成為更好的人。
“我所見為善為美的，就是人在神賜他一生的日子吃喝，享受日光之下勞碌得來的好處，因為這是他的分。 神賜人資財豐富，使他能以吃用，能取自己的分，在他勞碌中喜樂，這乃是神的恩賜。”
傳道書 5:18-19
VUCA - 「波動、不確定、複雜和模糊」（volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous）的世界
哈佛商學院教授比爾．喬治（Bill George）用四個新單字定義VUCA2.0： vision願景、understanding溝通了解、courage勇氣、adaptability適應。
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物質豐富，卻沒有被寵壞
屬靈榜樣，對他者多一份憐憫
與喜樂的人同樂，與哀傷的人同哭
工作養家，工作以外的意義，墓碑上的字
香港與英國的分別
漫天星火 要知道位置在何
芸芸繁星裡 可知我會是哪一顆
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他人的信仰vs自己的信仰
返教會係為左見朋友，定係為左認識神？
到底事奉的意義為何？若努力不被認可，那是否仍有意義？
何謂受苦付代價？冷戰歷史與信仰
失去了諸多關係／連結之後，我還是我嗎？
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認識神
熱誠以外的追求
欠缺人生智慧的順服，尚能夠解釋的處境
掙扎，繼續掙扎
面對無法解釋的處境
I wish to express deep concern about the Government’s recent proposals to change the settlement requirements for the BN(O) visa route.
Background and involvement in UK
Hong Kong people have a long and complex constitutional connection with the United Kingdom. Over the years, many of us have held statuses such as British Subject, CUKC, BDTC, and British National (Overseas). These ties reflect a shared history and shared values. Recently a family found that his grandfather was part of the team at HMS Belfast during the Korean war, that's a good proof.
Since 2020, thousands of Hongkongers have moved to the UK with our families, belongings, and life savings. We came here in good faith, believing in the promise the UK Government made when it opened the BN(O) pathway as an act of moral responsibility and historical commitment. Unlike many other visa categories, BN(O) holders cannot access public funds, meaning we must support ourselves fully. Despite this, Hongkongers have made wide-ranging contributions to British society:
Many have joined the NHS, schools, care services, charities, and private businesses.
Others volunteer in churches, community groups, or serve as full-time carers within their families.
Even those who are non-earners still contribute through VAT, council tax, fuel duty, and stamp duty, despite not receiving state support.
Caring for family members—whether children, elderly parents, or disabled relatives—is a recognised form of contribution. Carers in the UK receive National Insurance credits precisely because this work is valuable to society. Being a non-earner does not mean someone is not contributing.
Impact on Middle-Aged BN(O) visa holders
A significant number of middle-aged Hongkongers have modest or no income but hold reasonable savings or assets. Although they may not pay income tax, they contribute economically in many other ways and actively integrate into their communities. Changes to settlement requirements risk penalising these individuals—despite the fact that they came under terms set by the UK Government only a few years ago. Besides, I reviewed the 2021 HK census about the education level of various age group. only 46.7% that between 35-44 had post-secondary education, 33.4% that between 45-53 had post-secondary education, and only 15% that older than 55 had post-secondary education. I don't have accurate data about the age of bno visa holders, but if referring to the HK data, there'll be significant number of people find it difficult to fulfil the new English level requirement. A few months ago, a report done by ministry of housing, communities & local government mentioned that HK people are willing to seek out opportunities to improve their spoken English, but that doesn't mean that it's possible for people to reach B2 level, while they're very close to their settlement application.
A Matter of Trust and International Standing
BN(O) visa holders around the world—both in Hong Kong and in the UK—are closely watching how the current Government will respond. The BN(O) route was explicitly designed as a safe and stable pathway. Any substantial change now risks undermining trust in the system and in the UK’s moral commitments. Previous governments, including under Prime Minister Boris Johnson, recognised the UK’s historical responsibility. Today, we hope the current Government will uphold that same commitment.
Our Request
We sincerely ask that you raise this issue with the Home Office and urge the Government to:
--Reconsider the proposed changes to the BN(O) visa holder settlement requirements.
--Recognise the unique historical and moral context of Hongkongers’ migration to the UK.
--Ensure that BN(O) holders—many of whom wish to build a permanent, meaningful life here—are given a fair and stable route to settlement.
--Consider granting a clearer and more suitable status to long-term Hongkongers in the UK, in line with the original spirit of the BN(O) scheme.
Thank you very much for taking the time to consider this matter. I would be grateful for your support and for any steps you can take to represent our concerns in Parliament.
