Escaping Apathy

Apathy can be a killer. It kills motivation, zeal, passion, and action. Sometimes it comes on slowly; sometimes it seems to fall on us like a ton of bricks. We just get distracted, we don’t “feel like it”, or we just wander away in our thoughts. Spiritually speaking, apathy can sap your strength and limit your vision. In 520 B.C., the Jewish people who had returned from Babylonian captivity were gripped with apathy. They had faced opposition to rebuilding the temple. To avoid conflict, they concentrated on building their homes and businesses. Fifteen years had passed since the foundation of the temple was laid, and now the structure sat uncompleted. That’s when God, through the prophet Haggai, stepped in. Haggai encouraged the people to get back to rebuilding the temple. He drove them out of apathy and into action. How? He pointed them to the greatness and love of God. He reminded them that they belonged to something greater than themselves. He gave them a vision for the future and encouragement for today. These are the things that overcome apathy. As you embed the Bible this week, listen as God calls you to action. Catch the vision that God has for His people. Take encouragement from the promises and power of God.