"Don't Worry" v.s. "Don't Care"

Two big hot button issues going on right now are the upcoming elections and the situation(s) in the Middle East.  It goes without saying that there is a lot at stake in both areas, and the outcomes of each will have real and lasting consequences for all of us for a long time.  The perspectives of most, if not many, Christians seem to fall into two categories:

"Don't worry."
and
"Don't care."

At first glance the two categories seem almost the same. To say to someone "Oh, I don't worry about that" gives many of the same nuances as "Oh, I don't care about that."  But the two views are actually quite different.  And that is the disturbing part: it can be easy to trade one for the other without realizing it, and to adopt a view that might sound like one Jesus would take, but in reality is one for which he would speak strongly against.

So, which view should we hold as Christians?

To choose not to care about an issue means to pay it no mind; to not follow in on the news, talk about it with friends, or pay any attention to new developments.  For example, I  do not care about who is dating whom in Hollywood.  Nor do I care about the latest development between Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.  In fact, let's just get it out right now: if it is on the front of a tabloid in the Wal-Mart check-out line, I do not care.  (A clip from Remember the Titans illustrates my feelings perfectly.)

Now, caring does not necessarily imply worry.  I care deeply about the upcoming elections, and I care deeply about what is going on in the Middle East, but that does not mean I worry or fret about them in ways that betray a lack of faith in God's sovereignty.  I cared about whether or not Texas could defeat West Virginia this past weekend, but I did not worry about the fact that they lost.  (Concerned?  Maybe...)

     35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me      something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’"  Matthew 25:35-36

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."  I John 4:19-21

5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience."  Romans 13:5  

Clearly, Jesus calls his people to care about issues in this world.  We are called to care, to be interested and attentive to, issues like who is leading our country, whether our leaders are walking in the path of righteousness, and the fate of millions of people (both the innocent bystander and the committed terrorist) in the Middle East.  

But Jesus also calls us to flee from worry, from anxiety and fear that obstructs our faith in the sovereignty and goodness of God.

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"   
Matthew 6:25-27

 "Don't worry" and "Don't care" are not the same.  As Christians, we are called to embrace one and flee the other.  Flee the temptations of apathy that mask themselves as trust in God, and embrace the humility of love and care for our fellow man that reveals our faith in God Almighty.

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