What is the opposite of love?  I think the general response would be hate.  A different answer to this question was given at a Justice Institute session about Injustice in Education.  It was suggested by one speaker the opposite of love is indifference.

What is indifference?  Several definitions can be found and include:  unconcern, emotionlessness, unbiased, impartial, apathy.  The speaker shared this in context of confessing his own indifference to people who are suffering in our local city, Champaign, IL.  Prior to getting involved as a volunteer at one of the schools, he had no idea how strongly biased the local public educational system is against poor families and children, especially minorities.  In the course of the session, the group of panelist proved with facts and stated a destructive message is being effectively communicated to this group of children by the school system and the community at large.  Our society does not care about them, and we want them out of our way and sight.  Once they enter society as young adults and commit crimes as many do, we are happy to put them in jail to protect our property and personal safety.

Perhaps “hate” is not on the same scale as “indifference”, but the results produced are quite similar over time.  I believe I now realize and accept that my own indifference does contribute to the problem in my community.  I am excited that myself and others in this session have gained new insight and awareness.  I am thankful my heart is now opened and sensitive to this specific community issue.  My prayer is I and all of us actively seek to do our part as we serve our Lord by serving the members of our community, especially the members we consider the least.

1 Corinthians 10:24 - Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

I never thought about it this way before, but that is very consistent with taking the negative of “the love verse” in Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Reverse all of those characteristics of love (i.e. the opposite of love is not patient, it does envy…) and you don’t have a picture of hate.  What you do have is a picture of someone who is fundamentally self-centered and values themself over others… or, in other words, indifferent to the feelings and needs of others.

I left that session clued in to my indifference as well.  One thing I realized, though, is how much I admire and appreciate people I know who are making a difference as teachers and administrators in our school system.  Way to go!!! Thank you!!

Good word, Don!  If you are looking to make a difference here in our schools, I strongly suggest becoming a mentor to one of our school kids.  Each building has a mentor coordinator who can match you with a child who needs a positive adult in his/her life.  An hour a week is all it takes!  Some of our mentors have been with the same child all through years in Champaign schools…it’s a powerful relationship.

We hope to have a post soon about TALKS mentoring of Champaign County.  We support Kent Hollis every month in his work with TALKS.  I know Don is considering becoming a mentor himself.  Melissa, do you know of other mentoring groups that we can tell people about in addition to TALKS. It sounds like there is one directly through the schools themselves.  I assume one would just call the school? 
Thanks for the info.

I think the schools’ program is called “One to One” or something like that.  I think you just call the Mellen bld. and ask to talk to a mentor coordinator…see where they direct you.  I don’t know if specific buildings need them more than others, but it would be a great place to start.  The kids really value those relationships…means the world to them.