Apathy

is hurting children.  I despise Apathy.

The definition of apathy is:
1 : lack of feeling or emotion : impassiveness
2 : lack of interest or concern : indifference
 
How is it that we become apathetic? ~ I think it is a subtle, sneaky, sinful little creeper that comes in slowly, without a lot of fuss. 
 
Apathy defeats good intentions.  We intend to help the needy.  We talk about the plight of the orphans.  We think about feeding the hungry.  We plan to donate money.  We mean to pray.
 
But then... we get busy taking care of our families, our careers, our friends and relatives, our schedules, our children's schedules, etc., etc. and then before you know it... Apathy comes to visit... and usually stays awhile.
 
We didn't mean to let Apathy stay so long.  It's not like the things we are busy doing aren't important.  They are important. Very.
 
But... what IF... it was your nephew that goes hungry for days and has to dig through the trash for food?  or your best friend's daughter that falls victim to human-trafficking, forced to become a sex-slave?  or your brother's grandaughter that can't go to school because he can't pay the fees?  or your sister's son that is taken by force and made to be a child soldier... forced to kill?
 
what IF... there were starving children lined up at the fence of your backyard?  or orphans sleeping on your street?  or sick babies lying on your door step?  or young children carrying jugs to collect water from your muddy front yard?
 
Would it be different??  Would it be different if it were someone you loved?  Someone you valued?  Someone you cared for personally?  Would it be different if it were closer to home... closer to your heart?
 
If it were personal... would the busyness of life take a backseat to service... to prayer... to giving... to helping... to loving???  Would we kick Apathy out the door then?  Would we figure out how to help then?  Would we get creative and do whatever was necessary to make a difference?  Would we pray with more urgency and passion?
 
I believe that IF it were someone we loved... we would do something.  Aren't we supposed to love others?  ALL others?  ...as Christ loves us...
 
"... love one another deeply, from the heart." 1 Peter 1:22
 
Love defeats Apathy.
 
"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me."  John 14:21
 
Apathy is hurting children...  and NOW is the time for Apathy to leave.