If I were to ask you what is wrong with the world today, what would you say?
Perhaps you would say we are too selfish as a culture. Or maybe there are still to many wars that disrupt the balance of our civilized world. 
Yet another might be the topic of hate, prejudice, racism, and all the other forms of hate. Perhaps your answer would critique the very pessimistic view that my question implies, “There is something wrong.” While all of these are very valid perspectives, I wonder if our issue is less about what exists and more about what we lack…LOVE. Where’s the Love?
I apologize if you now have the Black Eyed Pea’s song stuck in your head or better yet just about any song sung by Bob Marley.
Every time I open my bible I’m confronted with the topic of love. How are we to show love to one another? How has God shown love to us and what does it mean to love God back? Love is at the root of our existence. Love drives our passion and movement in life. Love drew me to ministry. Whether it is my love of talking to people and seeking to help others live a fulfilling life by knowing Jesus. Love moves me to make sacrifices for the important relationships in my life. Love is what motivates me to write this article, because I love the topic of “LOVE” and want to share it.
Love is at the root of our existence. Love drives our passion and movement in life.
Love is a driving force in our life. That is why the words of the ever famous philosopher, Anonymous, ring so true: “Love makes the world go round.”
Logically this idea would lead us to believe that more love would make the world a better place. But, what stands in the way of love? What is the opposite of love?
If we found ourselves on the game-show Family Feud, the survey might say: hate, evil, anger, prejudice, or fear. Do you find any of these on your list?
I once heard a pastor proclaim, “The opposite of love is not hate…it’s apathy!” The opposite of love is not hate or fear. These may be obstacles for love, but what truly opposes love is indifference. There can be a thin line between love and hate. I can love good, but hate evil. Indifference and Apathy are a different story all together. Apathy is the the complete lack of emotion and investment in another person or thing.
When we look at the world through apathetic eyes we see a world not worth our time and care. When we come upon a situation of injustice and just keep on walking, apathy is opposing the love in our heart.
I recently spoke to a group of teenagers about their ability to change the world. Too often we consider the condition of our world and see it as too big to fix. We find ourselves saying, “I can’t save the whole world!” None of us can save the whole world, but that is not our job. (In fact, that is what Christ accomplished for us!) However, we can make a difference by allowing love to overcome our apathy. When we are confronted with a situation where we can act and make a difference, no matter how small, simple or mundane, we are making a change.
When we oppose apathy in our lives, love can begin to drive us to new heights. Love can inspire us to start something new. Love can motivate us to become a better person. Love can cause us to leave the prison of our own selfish tendencies to embrace the freedom of caring for someone else.
- Where in your life has apathy taken hold?
- What might happen if you can identify those areas and choose to love instead?
Love makes the world go round…just think about what your love can do!
