Lent – March 12
Give up apathy and learn to show attention.
You’ve probably heard the joke.
“What is the difference between ignorance and apathy?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care.”
That pretty much sums up the attitude of many in our world right now – not knowing and not caring. It’s reflected in not voting, not investing in the life of the community through volunteering and serving others, and not caring about the well being of the people who live all around us.
It’s oxymoronic to think that one can be a disciple of the One who “gave up his divine privilege, took the form of a slave, and was born as a human being” and retreat from caring and investing his/her life the world.
On a scale from indifferent to invested, where do you think you fall? What changes would you like to make?
“If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” James 1:26-27.
“…. The King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” Matthew 25:34-36.
Question: What do you really care about in the world? (Not soccer or monster trucks.) What effect does it have on a human life when one begins to care about the condition of the world?
Activity: Ask how you can be of service in LifeSpring’s partnership with LifeLine and the Meadows. Locate a non-profit or other organization that you can share some love with and pray for in a focused and intentional way.
Prayer: Lord Christ, people are all around us who need attention. Who need someone who will care about their lives. I pray that you will help me to cultivate divine attention. If I am indifferent or apathetic about the condition of the world or my place in that world, please stir my heart and my consciousness to see. In Jesus’ name I pray this. Amen.