September 24, 2024
Years ago, a group of college students decided to form an “Apathy Club” on their campus. They advertised the meeting but unfortunately, no one showed up. The explanation was, students were too apathetic to attend.
Much has been reported about the huge problems plaguing the world. Inflation, war, crime, violence, poverty, racism, hunger and more are ongoing threats. Arguably, however, the biggest obstacle troubling society, and our churches specifically, is apathy.
Generally speaking, it seems folks suffer from what I call “compassion fatigue.” If humankind’s capacity to care and willingness to get involved seem to be waning, it’s because they have. Jesus warned that as the end times approach, “lawlessness is increased and people’s love will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12 NASB).
Keep in mind that Jesus is speaking about society in general. Just because most people will digress in the love department doesn’t mean everyone will. A committed remnant needs to be there to help take up the slack. In fact, there’s no better opportunity than now to put these additional words from Jesus into practice: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NASB).
The devil wants you to think that your input doesn’t matter and that you can’t make a difference. Nothing could be further from the truth. The world is in desperate need of brave souls willing to get involved, lend a hand and take a stand on issues that matter, particularly those of eternal significance.
The Holy Spirit has prepared people that want and need to hear from you. It could be something as significant as your sharing the plan of salvation, or as simple as a plate of cookies or a listening ear.
I once read about a Finnish atheist who specified in his will that he wanted to leave his farm to the devil. When the man died, the legal system was stumped as to how to honor this request. Eventually, after much discussion, the decision was made: The best way to fulfill the farmers’s wishes was to let the weeds and briars take over the farmland, to allow the house and barn to go unpainted and eventually rot, and to allow the soil to erode and wash away. In summary, the court declared, “The best way to let the devil have possession of anything is to do nothing.”
Nothing is not an option. There’s a battle going on for the souls of those you love and you need to do everything in your power to make sure they end up on the winning side, entering that narrow gate, the one that offers abundant life now and eternal life thereafter.
Jesus followed up His warning of end times coldness with these words: “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved” (Matthew 24:13 NASB). Paul adds “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9 NASB).
During World War II, a church in Europe suffered severe damage from bombing. As a result of the explosion, a statue of Christ was mangled by having the hands blown off. Rather than the statue being repaired, it remained as is, except for the addition of this well-known phrase, “Christ has no hands but yours.”
If you find yourself with a case of the blahs, ask God for the tonic of a fresh task. If apathy knocks on your door, send urgency to answer. The “Titanic” has hit an iceberg and we need to get people on lifeboats while there’s still time. Help deliver the message that Christ is our only true hope for both now and evermore.
___
Rev. Gaddis has been a Pastor for over 34 years, 25 of those in Georgia. He lives in Athens and can be reached at jtoddgaddis@gmail.com.
