Rejecting Apathy Within a World that Expects It

One of the worst things that Christians can do is to be apathetic or unconcerned about the things that are going on around them. Indeed, many people think that if something doesn’t directly affect them at this moment in time that they don’t need to do anything about a situation, event, or the surrounding life numbing beliefs that overtake others. But, as Christians we have a responsibility to lead by example, to be there to stand for God’s Truth and be an example of God’s directions for a moral upright life to be lived for Him. Sadly, though, Christians can be some of the most apathetic people in this world.

Human nature is such that apathy can easily creep into our lives. In fact, one of the best quotes regarding apathy comes from Billy Graham, the evangelist, who said, "One of the ironies of human nature is that it often has a way of rejecting the best and accepting the worst."  -- (p. 90. Billy Graham in Quotes, c. 2011). Humans reject the best when they reject Christ, when they reject their responsibilities, and when they reject stepping out to help others or to do their part in making the world a better place. Yet, we can easily accept the status quo and end up accepting the worst. 

Christians need to reject the apathy of this world and get involved in helping others, involved in standing up for what is right, and involved in showing the world what it means to be a Christian. However, it isn’t just Christians who can be apathetic. In fact, until recently with the current presidential campaigns, many American’s even failed to vote in the general election or for that matter failed to vote in any local elections either. Failure of people to vote in primaries will give us the establishment’s desired candidates to choose from in the general election, which, of course, will lead to one of the candidates getting into the White House whether they are truly qualified or not. Unfortunately, in the last two presidential elections, we got someone who was not only not qualified to be President, but we got someone who had his own specific agenda for America.

Rejecting Apathy in Voting

Many people, including Christians, have in the past been apathetic about their right to vote, which has led to many of them not voting at all. However, because many people have recognized the present negative course of America under our current president, they suddenly have less election apathy than before. In fact, many people have come out of their apathy, because they have gotten angry at what this president and congress (or the establishment) have been ramming down their throats. So, we are having more people get out and register to vote than we have seen in many years. But there are also many people who still think that they do not need to get out and vote in the primaries. Unfortunately, if people do not get out to vote, they will just have to accept what they get in the way of a leader for this country, which could be a leader that believes in socialism which is just one degree from communism.

Still there are people who say that their one vote won’t matter. However, that is not the case. In fact, several local races have been won with just one candidate receiving one or two votes more than her opponent. Certainly, the freedom to vote is a responsibility that every American needs to take seriously, or they may find that they do not have that freedom in a few years. 

Whether it is in getting out to vote or in sharing Christ with others, Christians need to reject their apathy and become involved in servanthood for the Kingdom of God. This servanthood can encompass Active Relational Christian Mentoring (ARCM) or a myriad of other ways to do the work of God and help others at the same time. Indeed, Christians must understand that apathy about sharing the Gospel, about standing up for God’s Truth, about service to the Lord and about many other things relating to our walk for the Lord, will eventually lead to the world’s agenda trying to put out the Light of Christ. ISIS is already trying to put out the light of Christ in the world. Furthermore, our present government and judicial judges are also trying to snuff out the light of Christ on a daily basis with all the laws and rulings against our freedom to express our belief in Christ. Because of our apathy, the courts have been chipping away at our freedom to worship Christ in all aspects of our lives for quite some time now.

The Need to Overcome Apathy in Parenting and to Stop the Disrespect Our Children Show to Others

Both Christians and non-Christians are beginning to reap what we have sown, as both groups of people have been apathetic about teaching their children about the reasons that they have been given the freedom to express themselves. Worse still is the successive generational parental apathy, which has occurred in regard to teaching our youth and young people the importance of respect. For, we have failed to teach our young people that those on both sides of a debate or an opinion should be able to express themselves through town hall meetings, rallies, protests, and other forums while respecting each other. In other words, we have failed to teach our young people that both sides have been given the right to say what they feel with decorum, deference and respect. Furthermore, the right to express ourselves has not just been given to the ones who can shout the loudest or the ones who can disrupt the other person's right to speak. Instead, we are supposed to be living in the Republic of America, which prizes democracy for all, not just for the minorities or for those who can shout the loudest and disrupt the most. But, our failure to teach successive generations about everyone's rights and the need to respect all has led to, in this case, reaping what we have not sown.

Unfortunately, because we have failed to teach our young people common courtesy, etiquette, manners, and general caring about others’ views just as they care about their own, we now have young people who are verbal bullies. The most obvious and current example of this negative attitude toward others’ rights to speak happened this past Friday night, March 11, 2016, in Chicago. Hundreds of young people did not want Donald Trump to be able to speak in Chicago, so they got together to protest his campaign rally; even punching others in the face who disagreed with them.

Thousands upon thousands of people had come to hear the candidate, Donald Trump, speak. Some had even traveled hundreds of miles to hear Mr. Trump speak. Of those who bought tickets, some wanted to hear what he had to say, even though they did not think they would vote for him. Still others wanted to lend their support to his campaign. But, then those that did not want Mr. Trump to have the freedom to speak, took away all the peoples’ freedom to hear him and then make a decision on their own, because they shut down the rally with fear tactics, technological negative tweeting, and through verbal protests. Why cannot they see, that both sides have the right to speak, even if we disagree with what the other side is saying. The next step in the deterioration of our personal rights to say and believe in what we want is communism, wherein even those who have the right today to bully others verbally, will in a communistic country be punished for speaking out against the establishment or the group in power.

We are indeed reaping what we have sown, though, and in this case we sowed apathy in our homes and instilled it in our children, which has led to college professors being able to inspire our students and call for revolts. The inspiration of these professors is something new for the young people who have never had anything to cling to. Indeed, many students have gone to college without having a personal belief foundation based on knowing God and Christ and of loving others as themselves. Consequently, these students are ripe for the picking by those professors who see starved souls needing something to believe in. So, along with negative and false liberal views, many of these professors then teach the students that they have the right to say and do whatever they want. But they do not teach the students that it is a two-way street, wherein the other person has the right to disagree with them without being ridiculed and protested against. The professors, and in some cases the parents of these students, have sown disrespect.

But, even when parents, who are paying for their child’s education, see their child behaving in a disrespectful manner that takes away the rights of others to speak through protesting and cruelty, these parents do nothing. They are still apathetic. The very least they could do is to withhold the tuition money and the money they give to their student to go to college on, unless the child (and that is what they are at this point) quits acting like their voice and their rights are the only ones allowed. For, parents who do nothing to stop their son or daughter from becoming a bully and thinking only of themselves are, by continuing to pay for their education, enabling their student to behave badly. Sadly, though, many parents are apathetic about what their college student is doing.

Christians must not be Apathetic

     

It has always been easy to be apathetic about things that don’t interest us, or about things that we do not think will immediately affect us. But, having a spirit of apathy is exactly what Satan wants for everyone, and it is what he especially wants for Christians. For, if Christians have a spirit of apathy, then Satan doesn’t have to work as hard to tempt us by his traps, nor does he have to work as hard to keep non-Christians from learning about Christ from us or from coming to know Christ as their Savior.

Jesus, though, knew that the best way to bring in lost people and to save them from eternal damnation was to send them Christians who were truly His followers to go out into the world to actively tell others about the Gospel Message of Salvation. That is why, Christ said, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples (Christians) to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – (Matthew 28: 19, 20. NLT). 

Obviously, one cannot be apathetic if one is sharing the Gospel message with others.

Christians need to reject apathy and be a  servant-style leader even without being given the title of a leader. In other words, we have to lead others into doing that which is right and true by actively setting examples, actively becoming involved in the lives of others who need our help, and by actively standing for Truth through endeavors that will benefit others and our nation. Although becoming actively involved and rejecting apathy is not necessarily easy, it is something that God expects all Christians to do. But, God gives us help and shows us in His Word that we are never alone in rejecting apathy. For, within His Word God gives us the story of Nehemiah, so that we can see the importance in rejecting apathy. Moreover, it is through Nehemiah's story that we can see the hand of God at work within the lives of His people. This story also shows us that in rejecting apathy, Nehemiah became a servant-style leader who helped others get a needed and important job done.

Nehemiah

God’s Word is important to our lives, and we should be read daily, because God gives us examples of correct attitudes and behaviors, of obedience, of faith, of hope and of examples or lessons on living for God, as told through the people who have gone before us. One such example and important lesson to be learned from the Bible is of a man who truly rejected apathy. This is the story of Nehemiah, who obeyed God and taught others to obey and to have faith in God.

It is important for us to understand the background of Nehemiah’s story before we get into his specific actions. You may remember that the Israelites had been captured by King Nebuchadnezzar with many of them taken to Babylon. There they languished for over seventy years under the Nebuchadnezzar and his sons. Later, though, the Persians came in and overthrew the Babylonian kingdom adding that territory to an already very large empire. This overthrow of the Babylonian empire was good for the Jewish exiles, because the Persian king allowed a man by the name of Zerubbabel in 538 B. C. to lead the return of thousands of Jews back to Jerusalem. But, as we know from the story of Esther, some of the exiled Jews did not return home at that time. Then in 458 B.C., Ezra led another group of Jews back to Jerusalem to restore the temple. Finally, in 445 B. C. Nehemiah led the third group of exiles back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah lived in Susa at the King’s palace. Certainly, Nehemiah did not have a plan to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls of the city.  But like His plans for Nehemiah, God has plans for us, if we are just willing to listen to his call. Although Nehemiah had a good job in the palace of the King Artaxerxes in Persia, he also had a heart for the Lord and for listening to Him. In fact, the Lord had put Nehemiah in a position in Susa at the King's palace that would make it possible for Nehemiah to do God’s work back in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah’s position at the palace was that of a cup bearer or wine server to the King. But, one day Nehemiah had guests come to visit him. The guests were his brother and some travelers from Jerusalem in Judea. When Nehemiah asked about Jerusalem and about how the people who had returned to Jerusalem were doing, the travelers told Nehemiah that things were not going well for those who had returned to Judah. Then they went on to tell Nehemiah that the people living in and around Jerusalem had many troubles and problems including the fact that the wall surrounding Jerusalem had been torn down and the gates had been burned. In other words, the people were without protection from their enemies, looters, and robbers. Immediately, Nehemiah wept for his country and the city. Little did Nehemiah know, but God had a job for him to do. Although it would take a few months, the plan would be put into action even as Nehemiah was serving the King.

The following spring, Nehemiah was serving the king his wine, when the king noticed that Nehemiah was very sad. So, the king asked Nehemiah what was wrong. Nehemiah told him, that his home city of Jerusalem was in ruins and the gates had been burned down. Astonishingly, King Artaxerxes asked Nehemiah what he could do to help. Quickly Nehemiah grabbed the moment of generosity by the King and quickly asked for time off to go back to Jerusalem and help them rebuild their walls. But, Nehemiah didn’t stop there with his request. Suddenly, Nehemiah was emboldened to ask for more. Indeed, God had given Nehemiah the courage to also ask for letters for safe passage through the territories that he would have to go through in order to get to Jerusalem. Then, Nehemiah went on to ask for letters for lumber from the king’s forest for the rebuilding of the wall. Graciously, the king then granted all Nehemiah’s requests. It seems that God had been working on both the King’s heart and the heart of Nehemiah.

Nehemiah’s rejection of apathy

This begins Nehemiah’s rejection of apathy in regard to himself and others. For, while leading the group of Jews and workmen back to Jerusalem, and even after he got there, Nehemiah would be faced with apathy from every direction. Moreover, Nehemiah would face moments of despair and many trials that could lead anyone into a state of apathy, but Nehemiah refused to succumb. Furthermore, Nehemiah would have to deal with the apathy of others that he encountered in Jerusalem and from those living around the city of Jerusalem. Worse still, though, were the threats, rumors, and fear that their enemies instilled in everyone during the rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. But, by rejecting apathy, Nehemiah was able to do a mighty work for the Lord. In fact, with all the trials he encountered, it is truly amazing that Nehemiah was able to inspire the people in Jerusalem to work together to rebuild the walls and gates. How did he do what the Lord wanted him to do? Well, he kept his eyes on the Lord, and through prayer and dedication to the Lord, he was able to reject apathy.

Apathy can come in many forms. For example, had Nehemiah simply wept for the people in Jerusalem and then forgot their situation, he, too, would have fallen into apathy. Moreover, had he believed that he could do nothing to help anyone from where he was in the palace of the King at Susa, then nothing would have been done to help those in Jerusalem. But, Nehemiah rejected apathy or the idea that he was only one person so what could he do. Instead, the first thing that he did was to pray for the people in Jerusalem. Obviously, Nehemiah did not just say one quick prayer, but rather, prayed for the people of Jerusalem over several months even before he ever knew that he would going to be able to personally help them. Surely, in those prayers Nehemiah must have asked God what he could do to help the people. Then God put Nehemiah and the King together on a day that God knew that the King would have an open mind and be willing to help the Jewish people. It seems that neither the king nor Nehemiah were indifferent or apathetic to the needs of the Jewish people in Jerusalem. In fact, God was going to use their positive beliefs and initiatives as well as their desire to be of service in order to help those living in Jerusalem.

Sometimes we can overcome our own apathy when we have a particular situation that is near and dear to our heart. However, overcoming or rejecting the apathy of those around us, can not only be hard to do, but can also be another catalyst for our own return to apathy. But, we can’t let the apathy of others influence our decisions or cause us not to make decisions. Nor can we fail to take action for our beliefs and our servanthood for the Lord. Instead, like many Christians today, Nehemiah wanted greatly to help his people, but he also needed help in helping them. So, the Lord not only gave Nehemiah the desire to help, but He also gave King Artaxerxes the desire to help as well. Then, God made it possible for Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem with supplies provided by King Artaxerxes; supplies for the trip and supplies that were needed to rebuild the walls. But what would Nehemiah encounter once he got there?

What kind of situation or apathy would he encounter in Jerusalem?

Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem

Nehemiah did not know what to expect when he got to Jerusalem, but he certainly did not expect the opposition that he encountered. Then, shortly after getting there Nehemiah said that “... when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite heard of my arrival, they were very angry that someone had come who was interested in helping Israel.”  -- (Nehemiah 2: 10. NLT). Who were these two guys and why were they angry? Well, it seems that nearly 300 years earlier that the Northern Kingdom of Israel had been captured by the Assyrians who carried many of the Jews away into captivity, while leaving only a few of the Jews behind to work the land. Later, Sargon of Assyria repopulated Israel with captives from other lands and with some of his own people who wanted land of their own. Eventually these people that were sent into the area intermarried with the Jews that were still in the land. This created a mixed race of people who became known as the Samaritans.

 Unfortunately, when the Jews started returning to their land from Persia and other countries, they wanted nothing to do with the Samaritans, because they considered them to be unholy people. They believed they were no longer true Jews. Some of these Samaritans had even been given permission by the Assyrians to become leaders and governors of this mixed race of people. One of those governors was a man named Sanballat who was the governor of Samaria and over all the Samaritans living there. Samaria was a region just north of Judah, which made it easy for Sanballat to know what was going on in Judah. Perhaps Sanballat even had hopes of someday governing Judah, but with the return of Nehemiah his hopes were certainly dashed.

There are always people who want to block God’s purpose and who will oppose those who are actively trying to live for God. What those negative people don’t realize is that if we are doing God’s work, God will be there for us every step of the way. We just have to be willing to step forward and do the work that God has put on our heart to do. In fact, apathy does not have a place in God’s Kingdom. Neither are we to fail to do what God wants us to do. For, if any one of us fails do not do what God has asked us to do, God will simply find someone else to do his will. Therefore, we cannot allow those who want to block God’s purpose to stand in our way of accomplishing His will.

The first thing that Nehemiah encountered when he got to Jerusalem was the apathy of the people living there. Many people had just accepted the fact that they had to live in constant fear, because they had no protecting walls. As Nehemiah took time to look around, he saw that the people were not doing anything to rebuild the wall, and many of the people were actually living outside of the city, because there was no better protection from living in a city without walls. But Nehemiah did not just start telling everyone that they were going to rebuild the walls. Instead, Nehemiah took three days to scout out the walls to see what needed to be done and to make plans to help the people rebuild the walls and gates. Then, when Nehemiah was ready, he presented the leaders and the people with his plans, and they were impressed and said, “‘Good! Let’s rebuild the wall!’ So, they began the good work. But when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arab heard of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously. ‘What are you doing rebelling against the king like this?’” – (Nehemiah 2: 18, 19. NLT).

Sometimes all it takes is for one person to step forward to take on a task that no one else wants to do, and then others can become involved and help too. Interestingly, God often gives one person the vision or plan, and then the vision or plan can be implemented by others. But, it also takes a person who is willing to lead and to put himself or herself out there by laying out the plan and vision before others will follow. Nehemiah was able to express his vision and the plan to rebuild the wall in such a way that the apathy of those who had been living in Jerusalem without a wall was turned into excitement. The city officials were now willing to work at rebuilding the wall. When we get out of our state of apathy and encourage and inspire others, we can get God’s goals accomplished through teamwork, while disregarding the threats and rumors from others.

Notice too, in the above verse, that there were immediately those who ridiculed and threatened Nehemiah’s vision and plan. Sanballat and Tobiah threatened Nehemiah’s plan by starting a rumor that he was going against the King by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. If what they said was true, Nehemiah could have been thrown into jail. Little did they know, but the King had actually sanctioned the rebuilding of the walls and gates. Nehemiah knew the truth, and he would just let the rumors fly, because he had a job to do for the Lord. Like Nehemiah, we cannot let the negative people and naysayers keep us from doing the work that God wants us to do. We have to overcome our fear and the fear of failure to accomplish our goals. In fact, all Christians and those who choose to serve the Lord as Active Relational Christian Mentors or in some other service for the Lord will have road-blocks put in our paths. Obviously, Satan does not want us to accomplish anything for the Lord, but we have God on our side, and He will enable us to do His will.

Nehemiah’s Plan

Most of the citizens of Jerusalem did their part in rebuilding the wall. But, to make it easier for everyone, Nehemiah gave sections of the wall and the building of its gates to different groups of people who were living in that area of the wall. Each group would then be overseen in their work by their specific group leaders. But, one group of leaders from Tekoa refused to help, because they were lazy and did not support the building project. This was no different than today, for we have people within the church who are apathetic in different ways. Some people will simply refuse to work, while others just refuse to get out of their apathetic state to help. Some people in their apathy will actually try to put up roadblocks, while others in their apathy will simply do nothing. But, this type of negative naysaying apathy doesn’t just happen within a church family or church building. This apathy occurs in many people who just don’t think that something will get done, and it occurs in people who just see no reason to put out the effort, simply because things are going pretty smoothly for them at the moment. But that doesn’t mean that things will always go smoothly. If we don’t step forward to do what needs to be done, we can find ourselves wishing that we had done something before it was too late.

The people in and around Jerusalem were able to get rid of their apathy, because they had a good strong leader to show them the way. On the other hand, others who wanted Nehemiah to fail were already starting rumors that Nehemiah was rebelling against the King. In fact, Sanballat and another man named Tobiah even started making false statements and threats against Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall. But, Nehemiah was not going to be discouraged by their shenanigans, false statements, or threats.

The Enemy Wants to Attack

“At last the wall was completed to half its original height around the city, for the people had worked very hard. But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall were being repaired, they became furious. They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and to bring about confusion there.” – (Nehemiah 4: 6-8. NLT). But, Nehemiah and the people heard about their plans and prayed to God. Then they guarded the city day and night to protect themselves and the work that they had already accomplished.

Sometimes when we take on a large task, or just a task that seems large to us, we can often feel overwhelmed and discouraged. Such was the case with those building the wall. Nehemiah said that “Then the people of Judah began to complain that the workers were becoming tired. There was so much rubble to be moved that we could never get it done by ourselves. Meanwhile the enemies were saying, ‘Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down of them and kill them and end their work.’” – (Nehemiah 4: 10, 11. NLT). So, Nehemiah set up round the clock guards to protect the workers. Half the men worked while the other half guarded the workers. By dividing the workers and those who would guard them into specific groups, Nehemiah was able to get the people to look out for each other so that others could do great work. If we work together and don’t get discouraged and feel alone, we can get more things accomplished, and then everyone benefits, and no one feels overwhelmed or discouraged.

Nehemiah provides us with a great example of a leader who is also a godly servant. He did not just sit back and tell everyone what to do. Rather, Nehemiah said in his autobiography: “I devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my officials to spend time working on the wall. I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands.” – (Nehemiah 5: 16, 17. NLT).  Where did all those officials come from?  Well, when Nehemiah came from Susa in Persia, he brought with him court officials and those that carried the timber for the wall as well as those who carried other supplies. Along with the workers, he also brought back another group of Jews returning to Jerusalem. That meant that Nehemiah had a large group of people to oversee and feed. However, he did not let them sit back and do nothing just because they were from Persia. Instead, he himself worked, setting the example for the people under him to work alongside of him as well. Nehemiah was being a true servant leader who leads by example.

Then Sanballat and Tobiah became desperate to get Nehemiah to stop work on the wall. The rumor that Nehemiah was disobeying the King had not worked. So, they attacked Nehemiah’s character. They even promised to report back to King Artaxerxes that now that the wall was nearly finished that Nehemiah and the Jews were planning to rebel against the King. They said they would tell the King that Nehemiah had also appointed prophets to prophecy about him in Jerusalem, telling Nehemiah that they saw him as the king of Jerusalem. (See Nehemiah 6: 5-7).

Nehemiah then sent back a message to Sanballat and Tobiah, and he told them that they were lying and that there was no truth in their story. Nehemiah told the others that “They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could break our resolve and stop the work. So, I prayed for strength to continue the work.” – (Nehemiah 6: 9. NLT).

It is easy for most of us to be intimidated, because we do not want others to think any less of us. In fact, we all have a tendency to want to fit into the same mold as everyone else, so that we don’t stand out in the crowd for fear of being ridiculed. But, God wants us to stand out. He wants us to be the light of Christ shining out in this world. So, if we do not step forward to shine the light of Christ in our actions, behaviors, and attitude, we are failing to do that which Christ has asked us to do.

In fact, a good servant leader will not only be able to lead others, but will also work alongside those he is leading. Such was the case with Nehemiah. For, Nehemiah not only oversaw the entire construction project, but he also worked alongside all the workers in building the wall. Meanwhile, he also took care of the rumors and problems with those who were trying to thwart the project. Through his leadership and strength of character Nehemiah was able to get the wall finished.

The Wall and Gates are Finished

Finally, the wall was built. But, when Sanballat and Tobiah as well as the other Arabs found out that the wall was finished, they were again furious. Now, they were also desperate, for Jerusalem was now protected. So, they decided to ask for a meeting with Nehemiah. But, Nehemiah knew that they were planning on trying to kill him, so he refused to meet with them. Instead, Nehemiah continued to pray to God for protection and to be able to do the work that God had asked him to do. So, on October 2^nd the wall was finished in only fifty-two days from the time they started.

The wall was finished in spite of those who did not want it to be built. In fact, it was built in spite of those who in their apathy, refused to give Nehemiah their full support. It was also finished in spite of those who had attacked Nehemiah personally. Why did Nehemiah have such determination? The answer lies in his willingness to do what God had asked him to do. Nehemiah not only desired to help those who lived in Jerusalem, but this was God’s desire for him to help them as well. That is why Nehemiah constantly prayed for strength, protection and the ability to fight off those whose apathetic attitude and behaviors could possibly derail the plan.

Although many people said it couldn’t be done, the job was finished. Today, we have to realize that this is the type of strength, encouragement, and faith that we should have in our day to day lives. We, too, are to join together in helping those who need our help. That is why Active Relational Christian Mentoring can be a wonderful way to serve the Lord and serve others in the Kingdom of God. Nehemiah certainly mentored the leaders of Jerusalem. He encouraged them to do what God wanted them to do in the rebuilding of the walls and gates. Then, he showed them how to do it even has he monitored the workers and guards. If we, too, get rid of our apathy and reach out to help people, we can accomplish great and wonderful things for the Lord. Moreover, we should never let the size of the problem or the length of time needed to get a job done, keep us from accomplishing what God knows we can do. That is why reaching out to help another person, can not only create in them a spirit of encouragement and empowerment, but it can help another overcome a life of apathy. If you haven’t given of your time and energy to help someone, please step forward to do so. In the process, you will not only bless that person, but you will receive God’s blessings for having done what He has asked you to do.

Get out of the apathy boat. Start by registering to vote. Then actually get out to vote. This will give you a feeling of empowerment. Additionally, start talking to your children about right and wrong. Teach them to respect and love others even if they disagree with what the other person says. Teach them to be leaders instead of followers. Also, please teach them what the Republic of America stands for and why they have the freedom to express themselves in the first place. Most, importantly, though, teach them about God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Take them to church and Sunday school so they can learn about God and His Son, which will open them up to having a personal relationship with Christ. That relationship will give them the personal foundation they need to get through college and the rest of their life without falling for everything that comes their way. For, they will always have God's Truth, the ultimate Truth to lean upon. Best yet, they will know that they have an Eternal home awaiting them for when they are called home. Finally, remember too, to talk to them about apathy, and then show them what apathy can lead to. As parents you are the best and most important example or role-model that your children will ever encounter.

Last, but not least, ask the Lord what you personally can do for the Kingdom of God. When he tells you to step forward to help someone, to stand up for the Truth, to share the Gospel message with another, etc. then do so. You will be surprised at how becoming involved in service for the Lord and actually doing something that God wants you to do will take away all the doldrums and all the apathetic tendencies that Satan wants you to cling to. You can do it! You can serve the Lord by helping others and standing up for God’s Truth. You can become an Active Relational Christian Mentor.