In the movie, Schindler’s List, Schindler wonders how the prisoner disposing of dead bodies can smile through his tears. “I smile,” he says, “because I am grateful I can still cry.”
War and destruction are not the only influences that cause a heart to become apathetic. Apathy is defined as a state of indifference, an inability to become ruffled or roused to active interest or exertion by pleasure, pain, or passion. Spiritual apathy is a slowing down of vigor and passion for the things of God.
While Solomon’s early life is filled with remarkable accomplishment, we see the tragic results of apathy in his golden years. His numerous marriages for political gain not only led to idol worship but Solomon’s active participation. While Solomon never truly stopped believing in God, his passion grew cold.
Apathy is sometimes caused by physical fatigue. Rest and physical exercise can help invigorate us in those cases. Sometimes our apathetic state is the result of corporate disinterest. We tend to be like the people with whom we spend the most time. .
Most often the root cause for our apathy is spiritual dryness. When we fail to stay hydrated, our bodies die. Likewise, if we fail to keep our spiritual needs fed, we will suffer an atrophy of the heart.
Is there hope then? Are we doomed to languish like Solomon? Some theologians and teachers, like Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, believe enthusiasm counterbalances apathy and boredom, two common blocks to an engaged spiritual life. Apathy and enthusiasm cannot occupy the same mind.
The word enthusiasm is derived from the roots, en (meaning within) and theos (God). It means having God within or being one with God. People infused with God carry a special kind of energy. They bring warmth and feeling to their relationships and vigor to their activities. If we have lost energy, we can dispel our apathy by surrounding ourselves with people who are energetic. We can throw ourselves into new projects that will jump start our stalled hearts. Some suggest cranking up the radio and singing our hearts out to the Lord. God won’t care if we lack perfect pitch.
The cure for apathy is first to recognize it. We can only realize our true state as we sit by the waters of God’s grace. If we stop and listen and bend an ear toward Him, He will come to where we are and pull us the rest of the way. “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart” (Jeremiah 24:7 NIV).
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