My Feelings on Apathy
I'm in the process of writing a book on evangelism.
When I write a book I have to immerse myself in the project. I'm reading articles on evangelism, books on evangelism, and I'm reading the gospel of Luke--scouring each verse for every single morsel I can find that reveals Christ's heart for lost people.
As I've been thinking about evangelism I've been reminded that I must be careful that I don't allow myself to become apathetic.
If we’re not careful we can become desensitized to the plight of lost people in our world. Are we apathetic when exposed to the needs of the people we encounter on a daily basis?
Do you feel anything for the man holding the “Will Work For Food” sign, or do you see only words on a torn piece of cardboard?
Do you feel anything for the frazzled mom with dirty kids ahead of you in line at Wal-Mart, or do you just see a woman who is making you late because she can’t seem to find all of her food-stamps?
Do you feel anything for your co-worker as he wonders how to save his marriage, or do you only see a philanderer who’s getting what he deserves?
Do you feel anything for the homosexual guy who works in your building who is grieving the loss of his partner to AIDS, or do you only see someone who got what “he deserves”?
Jesus cared about lost people and, if we really want to be of any use to him in this world, we must too.
posted by Arron Chambers @ 10:39 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Aaron, good thoughts in this post. This is the first time I have read your blog and I am planning to read more. This is something that I have wrestled with before when I have seen a homeless person with a "will work for food" sign. My immediate thought is that he would probably just use money on alcohol and I dismiss it. Lately I have been challenged with the thought that I could have just bought him lunch...or I could have just given him a few bucks and let it be in God's hands as to what he does with it. Either way, my compassion shouldn't be based on my perception of the situation. It should be based out of love for another of God's creation. Drunk, divorced or homeless, they are still created in God's image.
Jesus exhibited compassion without limits. While I have compassion toward many in varying circumstances, I'm afraid it often falls short. Sometimes it's because I'm uncertain I can contain the depth of ache that fills me. Other times I put my arm out as a stop stick when I'm approached by someone who wants something from me I'm not willing to give. They invade my space. Or I'm afraid that if I give an inch, they'll want a mile. Or I don't think I have anything to give.
It's as if I protect myself when God clearly names his Son my guardian. Crazy as it sounds, when I let him, Christ's guardianship supplies all the security I need to open my heart toward fallen humanity. . . . And I have more than enough to offer.
Thanks for the tweak, Aaron, reminding me to turn myself outward.
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