Several words include the root 'care' in them, but the meanings go in sometimes very different directions. Take care (of yourself =be well; of the danger =caution), work with care or carefully (pay attention), care-free (=no worries or anxiety, unconnected to consequences or accountability for one's responses; responsiveness; responsibility), careless (=unconnected to consequence, awareness, feedback, calibration), caring sort of person (=expresses concern for others that is genuine and warm), not to care about - nobody cares - who cares about that (=disinterest or actively turn away in ill will), care-worn (=burdened by the weight of cares).
The life unexamined, unencountered and not cared about is a dull and hollow thing indeed. The core of following Christ's way centers on one's heart; that engagement with one's neighbors/self and with the Creator. So a by-word for 'heart' could be 'care'. Another expression could be 'paying' or 'giving' attention when listening, when seeking to understand others or to discern God's will. More than money, time or talent, it is giving one's sincerity; care; heart-felt attention that is the coin of the realm in the economy of The Way. This is how one's heart grows, exercises, grows stronger --by giving attention and by receiving the care and interest (respect) of others.
No comments:
Post a Comment