What am I missing?

What am I missing?

This is a serious question. I'm not trying to start something or being a smart aleck. What am I missing?

Why is it that when I scroll through my Facebook feed, I see several Christian friends posting angry comments and articles about President Obama sending U.S. troops to help with the Ebola outbreak in Africa. The troops are being sent to help with infrastructure so the folks already on the ground there can more effectively tend to those who have the disease.

Why do we have a problem with this? Aren't we supposed to help those in need? Isn't this the largest Ebola breakout in known history? Isn't this a disease that kills people in a horrific way? Isn't it also one that is fairly easy to prevent transmission of if the proper sanitation measures are in place?

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25: 35-40

What am I missing?

This isn't the only issue I've had this thought about, just the latest. I'll mention one more for illustration purposes. This past summer, when all of the undocumented immigrants from Central America were crossing the border, people freaked out. The majority of these people were women and children fleeing death squads, cartels, and other horrible things most of us could never imagine. Yet there were protests and people actually turning away buses packed with women and children. I know not all of the protesters were Christians, but some of them were, including some who were very vocal about their dislike of the situation. 

What is the problem here? We weren't prepared and therefore didn't have the resources ready to help them? Isn't that the case every time a hurricane hits and people flood into surrounding areas while fleeing to safety? Is it because the immigrants aren't "our" people and we should focus first on helping "our" people? 

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37

When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:33-34.

What am I missing?

I've heard most, if not all, of the arguments about the practicalities of these and other situations. I acknowledge the validity of most of them, and concede that there are tough issues out there with no easy answers. BUT....

As Christians, where is our primary citizenship? Is it in the Kingdom of God or in America?  If its the former, why do we let the politics and circumstances of the latter so frequently upset and worry us? Why do we say some things (cloaked in "righteous" anger) that quite frankly I think Jesus  would shake His head at? A non-believing friend of mine posted the following as her Facebook status last week:

          "Stop watching broadcasts that are fabricated for fear. We are becoming one scared nation. Not            that there are not real threats. But really. If the truly religious out there truly believe in abiding            faith and divine guidance, does it even make sense to thrive on endless horror stories and                    lunatic 'reporting'?"

Ouch. She's absolutely right. 

I'm not saying its wrong to stand for or speak up about what one believes. It's good to have opinions, even strong opinions about things. It's good to discuss those opinions with one another - how else will we learn? However, I would caution stating such opinions as fact, or as a representation of what Christ Himself would stand for. Also, we need to be more OK with people who don't share our opinions. More pointing one another to Christ, and less vitirol and indignation will benefit us all.

If I have missed a key nuance, please point it out to me. If there is a big picture I'm just not seeing let me know. This post isn't intended to be a political discussion or debate. Its not the merits of a specific plan or policy I'm questioning here. Its the response of my brothers and sisters in Christ that truly baffle me. 

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in our power to do it. Proverbs 3:27b 

What am I missing?