Are We Ostriches (9-20-2020)

Are we ostriches? 9-20-20 My beginning Scripture is from Ezekiel Chapter 9: God showed Ezekiel that no one was really concerned about the vile conditions of the city, the worship of idols, and wild out of control immorality. Then a divine message was sent to Ezekiel in 9: 4-5 to: "Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all who weep and sigh because of the detestable sins being committed in their city. Then ... the Lord said to the other men, "Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity!" It seems God wants to reward those who are concerned about the bad stuff going on around them and is unhappy with those who are indifferent to evil. In thinking about the wickedness and apathy among the Jewish people in Ezekiel's time I asked myself what is the message for me today? What am I apathetic about? And I thought about ostriches. The poor ostrich has gotten a bad reputation a bad rap, - known as a bird that buries his head in the sand and ignoring the dangers going on around him. So I did a little research and discovered that ostriches don't build nests like other birds, instead they dig holes in the sand to keep their eggs. While the eggs are incubating, both male and female ostriches will take turns sticking their heads down in the sand an using their beaks to rotate the eggs to ensure proper incubation. In other words they are putting their heads in the sand - a very uncomfortable activity - to protect and develop their young - just the opposite of apathy. I was wondering if we are protecting our young by doing the uncomfortable things. Of course, any parent knows they must do lots and lots of uncomfortable things to protect and care for their young. Getting up at all hours of the night to change diapers and feed their infants, spending hours and hours having to be teachers for their kids during the COVID crisis, and oh so many other ways that parents show their love for their children by doing very uncomfortable things. But Ezekiel warned his people about their apathy. I can see some ways that many of us in our society are apathetic about real immediate and long term dangers around us. Global warming and climate change is a problem that doesn't seem to arouse much alarm. In fact there are people who are saying don't worry about it - it's not real. It reminds me of the Ezekiel stories of his people believing the false prophets who told them they didn't have anything to worry about when they were facing deportation and worse. So what is apathy? Apathy is a lack of feeling, emotion, interest, or concern about something. It is a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation, or passion. Signs of Apathy I think there are some obvious signs of apathy in our society and the world. * Many people care not about God or Christianity. They are indifferent. They don't love God or hate him. They just don't care about him. It has been said that the opposite of love is not hate, it is apathy. * Many of the leaders of the largest countries in the world are doing almost nothing to attack the problem of global warming. I wonder if one of the reasons for this is a lack of interest, feeling or concern, that is, apathy. * College kids having parties and in close contact with each other not taking precautions to avoid getting or giving the COVID-19 virus. This behavior might be due to social pressures, but it might also be a lack of concern or interest in the real dangers, that is, apathy. * Health problems like obesity and type 2 diabetes. These problems can be due to addiction to sugar or fried foods, but the very addiction might also be due to a denial about the problem or a feeling of powerlessness which causes a suppression of interest in change or concern for the long term health consequences - apathy. God is the answer Just as Ezekiel told his people to see God as a sanctuary in the midst of their exile, I think that a reliance on God and Jesus will encourage us and will be a good antidote to apathy. Remember the ostrich sticking their heads in the sand to nudge those eggs down below because they are concerned for the little lives within. Nudge yourself and those around you to seek God. God cares, he is concerned about our welfare and the welfare of the earth and all of his creation. Well, another way to put it is stay close to God for God is love and he who abides in love abides in God. Those who regularly seek the sanctuary of God's promises and comfort will be less likely to live in apathy and indifference to their own problems and societal problems. Prayer Father, send your Holy Spirit into us to inspire us and take away our apathy, to excite us to care for and preserve your Kingdom on Earth. Strengthen us to face the difficulties in our lives, to never take for granted your protection and love for us and your creation. You are always with us and we love you, we adore you dear Father. Thank you for your abundance and generosity. We pray these things in the name of your precious son, our savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.