"So What?"

There was a teacher who gave the subject "WHAT?" to a composition class. For an hour, the whole class busily explained, expanded, and defined this word and related concepts in pages of paper. One mischievous student submitted his paper in one minute and left the class. On his sheet he had simply written: "SO WHAT?"

"SO WHAT?" An apathetic statement? "Apathy" is defined as the lack of enthusiasm for or interest in anything, even to the point of possessing emotional emptiness. [paraphrased from Encarta ® World English Dictionary © 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation] Another word from the same root is "pathetic" which is what one is when they have lost feeling ("pathos") for life and others.

FEELINGS can be neither right nor wrong in and of themselves. It is what one does based on those feelings that matters. However, to have lost the ability to feel either with or for others is a very sad condition.

Praise God He CARES about us. ( 1 Peter 5:7) However, does the CARING stop with us? How much do we CARE about others? As Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, he complimented this quality in Timothy.

We read. . .
"(19) I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. (20) For I have no one like him, who will be GENUINELY CONCERNED FOR YOUR WELFARE." ( Philippians 2:20 ESV)

This was in contrast to those who were only seeking their own interests rather than the interests of Jesus Christ. ( Philippians 2:21) When we are willing to genuinely seeks the interests of Jesus Christ, we will show a genuine CONCERN and INTEREST in the lives of others. To Care enough to help bear one another's burdens moves us toward fulfilling the law of Christ. ( Galatians 6:2)

Though the world may be pathetically apathetic, may we continue to maintain a heart that genuinely feels with (sympathizes) and for (empathizes) others. Hopefully in the process those around us will begin to acknowledge the God Who TRULY CARES for them and has provided the means of eternal salvation in Christ.

Have a great day MAINTAINING A CHRISTLIKE CONCERN FOR OTHERS!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Caring