The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
When do I stop caring? Recently I brought up a student concern at school and I was informed to not worry about it. I have tried to mentally do as the song says and “Let it Go”, but the thought keeps popping back into my head. It’s not so much that the student is causing great harm to others, themselves, or to the school, but in the long run, they are choosing detrimental outcomes with their opportunity to learn.
I am not a person who has to be in continuous control in order to function. However, I am one to be ever so slightly bothered when I see a child self-imploding and the school just stands by with hands at their side stating “Let them fail. They are doing this to themselves.” If that is our attitude when a child chooses to not do the work and instead uses their study hall time to watch YouTube videos about getting high, then why should we be surprised at the unfolding of our American Society.
After all, if the parents are not willing to be parents, and the schools no longer want the job, then who will step up? Will the government now step in and take the lead? I hope not, but it seems that the American Society is headed in that direction. More and more regulations are being placed upon school districts while at the same time, funding is being taken away. Is the purpose to eventually force a school district to close its doors or to jump through another governmental hoop? There is only one answer to that. Yes. As we edge closer towards the globalization of society, it’s only a matter of time and what better place to initiate such a program than through the youth. After all, have we not already started by assisting our future contributors of society to disengage in what matters and engage into their own self pleasure?
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
It’s tough to know the right answer on this issue. On the one hand, I agree, people need to step in when they see something needs to be addressed. On the other hand, in doing so, we may have eroded the personal responsibility factor with all the ‘intervention.’
There seems to be this developing trend that implies it is society’s role to ‘fix’ individual’s problems. It’s almost as if society has developed a ‘god-syndrome.’ God has been driven out of everything because we want to ‘be our own boss.’ (We’re rebellious) Yet at the same time, we expect the schools, the state, the government, advocacy groups, and the NFL, (and the list goes on) to eliminate all the evils of society. They never will. They can’t.
The problem is that society (for the most part) is agenda driven. Resolutions to issues generally involve a baby and bathwater response. Zero tolerance becomes the answer when any problem arises. Zero tolerance policies foster zero common sense responses. Society has become an expert at creating a multitude of problems in an effort to eliminate one.
There are caring people (like you) who I am sure genuinely care and want to guide young people to their best future possible. Unfortunately, it is a fact that, there are others who are on power trips and have issues of their own. Also, some people may acknowledge their own issue (or their child’s), listen to our guidance and suggestions, then simply choose not to follow it.
They may be wrong… or WE may be wrong. That is when I have to say ‘I’ve done my part. Now it’s in God’s hands.’ …and continue to pray.
Melinda has some valid points, but often times those who “can” or “should”, stop short of their part in the process. They are either afraid of the powers that be or just don’t care and have given up. I agree that Jesus is the bottom line and prayer will (slowly at times) make a difference, but waiting while watching destruction is so very hard to endure.