Why I'm Not Worked Up About Health Care

Okay, I might be going out on a limb here. I believe in, and vote for, limited government. I believe the health care legislation is very significant... Yet why am I not all worked up about it?

I was reflecting on this and came up with these reasons.

1. There is very little I can do about it. I spent the late 90’s being worked up about political matters that I could do nothing about. I feel I’ve paid my dues in that area. Now, I’d rather be worked up about things that I can do something about.

2. I think it’s symptomatic. It’s not like this legislation dropped out of the sky into an otherwise peaceful, harmonious country. It’s the result of political, bureaucratic, and social tugs-of-war that have been going on for quite some time and will continue for the foreseeable future.

3. The Lord is exalted far above all gods (Psalm 97:9), and that includes politicians. We have turned politics into an idol, thinking that we can be saved through a political party or movement—and it has been disproven every election cycle.

4. The Lord is at work! I’m really excited about the grace God is granting in many corners of the country through bold preaching, movements of fasting and prayer, and sacrificial living. I’m not sure very much of this has been covered by either Fox News or CNN.

5. Maybe there’s some good stuff in the bill. Look, I wasn’t “for” the bill—especially since it was prosecuted in such a non-democratic manner. But it’s not like the alternative to the bill (status quo) is very good. Unfortunately, we are all screwed up—insurance companies, drug companies, political parties, it’s all a mess.

6. I really believe that Jesus was not a Republican or a Democrat. He always had a “third way” answer to each quandary posed to him, and I think he would surprise us if he were here today. What do you think his answer would be to the question, “What do you think about this health care legislation?”

7. There seem to be very few godly, humble, sacrificial leaders in our nation. And this is what we need! I can get really excited about Christian business people, doctors (I know a few), lawyers (I know a bunch), and politicians living out their calling. To a small degree, I can even “do” something about this—as a pastor, I have a role in the education of some of these. That’s humbling, yet exciting. So I see that there are some Christians who should get worked up and take godly action, but it seems I have other things to get worked up about.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying this issue is not worthy of reflection, for as Christians we should cultivate wisdom even concerning matters beyond our everyday reach. And, I understand that I'll be directly affected by this legislation since we heavily utilize the health care system (since we have a child with special needs). I'm just saying that I'm not eating and breathing this issue-- my passions are not parallel with the news cycle.

I want to see our country move in a godly direction, led by Christians in every vocation (including law, medicine, politics). But for most Christians, it seems that our primary calling is as humble disciple-makers and sacrificial servants within our families, churches, and communities. And that primary calling should be our primary care.

Am I missing something?