Overcomer Part 2

THE “MEH” GENERATION

Luke 10:25-27 – “25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”” (NLT)

Luke 10:30-31 – “30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.” (NLT)

What did the man do? He crossed to the other side.  In our time, people will just be going to the side, take their phone, take a picture and send it to Facebook or Instagram.   After that, they’re gone.  With the Scripture that we read, it is possible that the priest was thinking, “I’m too busy as a priest. I have flock to take care.  I have church members to visit. So why should I add more problems in my hand?” Sometimes we’re so caught up with our position and status that we no longer care about people who are in need.

Luke 10:32 – “A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.” (NLT)

This is a powerful image of apathy. I see the guy but I don’t want to get involved. I’ve got too much going on. They need me back at the temple anyway. I’ve got a busy life. It could be dangerous for me.

Why don’t we care like Jesus called us to care?

OVERWHELMING INFORMATION. One reason is because the volume of information we’ve been receiving is overwhelming. There’s so many different things that we’re supposed to do or help. It’s difficult to care when there are so many things to care about. We’re exposed to tragedies all the time.

FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS. We feel helpless to make a change. I’m just trying to get my own degree. I’m just trying to pass the class. I’m just trying to pay the bills and keep my job. I’m just trying to raise a two-year-old toddler. Whatever it is, I really do care but I don’t think I can really make a big difference.

How do we overcome apathy?

Have Compassion

Compassion is beyond feeling sorry. Compassion is love with action.  Many people will feel sorry for the victims, for the less fortunate, but only the compassionate will take action and extend their hands to help.  If we want to overcome apathy, have a compassionate heart just like Jesus.  Be consistent on extending a helping hand to those who are in need. If you consistently act on what moves your heart, you’ll overcome the MEH feeling.

Embrace Discomfort

We’re all busy.  We all have our schedules at home, at work, and in school. If we work beyond that, it will cause us to be discomfort.  But who among us will take time to counsel those who are desperate in life even if it will take more of our rest time?  Who among you will take time to disciple teenagers who have problematic family even if it will take our time with our family?  Who among you will go out and share Jesus to people who are taking drugs, to those prostitutes, even if they have huge tendencies to reject you?

We love comfort, we don’t like discomfort. Here’s the problem, this is the lie that so many of us believe: It’s easier not to care. It’s easier not to get involved. It’s too risky for me to help. If I do something, I could get my feelings hurt. If I do something, it would cost me. It’s going to take my time and my time is so valuable. It’s easier not to care. However, as a child of God, as a person saved by Jesus, I would rather sacrifice with a purpose than exist without one. I would rather sacrifice with a divine calling than exist without one.

If our version of Christianity is all about our comfort, we’re following a false god. If I never give sacrificially anywhere, if I don’t serve and others are serving me, if I never pray seriously over something that moves my heart, if I never fast because I need to pray for a person who needs my prayer, I’m missing one of the greatest blessings in life. Many think blessings are just the stuff we want. But we should be blessed with a burden.

Fight for your brothers and your sisters and your sons and your daughters. Fight for your families.” Blessed with a burden.