Things

It’s interesting how we stop caring about the new and exciting things we own once they get older or get used to them. Whenever you buy something from them, dell makes sure that you are signed up for a monthly catalog. I was looking through the most recent and I spotted my monitor in there. Inevitably, the price has gone down since I bought mine nearly six months ago, so I’m not so worried about that. But what does bother me is that I almost forgot the investment I made in this thing. I love this monitor and take it for granted everyday. And I realize how we do that with everything. This is merely one more reminder that God supplies what we need, and when he gives us gifts like monitors and whatnot, it’s nice, but it’s not what we focus on. We need to be content with what God provides. Ultimately, however, it is who our God is that should leave us content. If we are saved, then he will be all we ever need in order to be content.

What does your earthly citizenship mean to you?

I’ve begun to wonder what my American citizenship means to me. Depending on one’s generation, some would say that it means freedom and power. Some might merely say strength. If you were born when I was, it could mean any number of things, but it could also mean very very little. For me, I’ve been finding that my citizenship is a tool, and only a tool. But all of this depends upon whether you look to the past, present (as well as short-term future), and long-term future

As I said, someone from the WWII era tends to see American citizenship as a badge of honor–as well many of them should. This was a very huge era for America. This was a time when we rose to the top. Prior to WWII, the most we had been was just another country, and right up until WWII, we were just another country; another country who was living in shanty towns and didn’t have a hope of ever becoming anything other than mediocre. Then, when the war began for America, we sent almost all of our men to fight, and all of the remaining men and women put everything towards winning the war. This was a time when such a thing was necessary. We needed weapons and ammunition. We needed to ration things like rubber and other manufactured materials. We needed to ration off food. These things were necessary in order to support the mission of our troops in Europe and Asia. And when all was said and done, the fascism of the Axis powers was dismantled, and liberated Europe was free, in large part, because of America (not to mention the other nations who were also integral in providing troops and logistics. This is merely for the purpose of explaining American pride).

And so, with that, you have an entire generation with a certain culture who were raised upon the American ideals of freedom and power. And it isn’t bad to remember when America was at such a high point. But if you look at the history of America since, then you see social revolutions that liberalized our morality, war-mongering, corporate interests who saw the value of what profits would be made if they were to become involved in war, and so forth. This is not to say that I have anything against the American populace, I just think that what I outlined is a fair description of what runs our foreign policy and most of our economy these days.

Now, whether or not you agree with my outlook on the way our nation is run, if you are a believer, consider this:

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16-20

So then, Jesus returned from the grave, just as he had promised, and now was giving the disciples his last commands. Matthew (under the inspiration of God himself) chose this to be the last passage concerning what Jesus said before he ascended. I might be making lofty assumptions, but I think I would be correct in saying that this–what is oft referred to as the Great Commission–is one of the most important commands given to us in the New Testament. I say this because although Jesus said that we are to love God first, then our neighbor as ourselves, I think this is the application. God commands all throughout scripture that his creation worship him. And in the act of salvation, we find one of the most loving and glorious acts that God has ever committed. If we neglect to speak and sing of the Lord’s praises, then we are not loving God with all that we are. And if we are not spreading this amazing gospel to others, then we are not loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. So with that said, maybe my next insight may help you understand what I mean by this post.

I see my citizenship status as merely a tool. When I look at the world through scripture, I see the possibility of living in another country like Switzerland and gaining citizenship there as potentially useful. If I were able to travel around with a passport from a nation that welcomes money from anyone without asking too many questions and who hasn’t been involved in a war in nearly 200 years, then I would. This is because, although I love living in California and think America has a rich, albeit short, history, my greatest concern is not uplifting America. My greatest concern is being able to spread the gospel. If I even had to renounce my American citizenship for this purpose, then I would. It would not be a problem for me to do so, and because I care more about missions work than which country I belong to, it wouldn’t be an issue when you get right down to it.

When we all are in eternity, it won’t matter if we are Americans, Canadians, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, the child of an illegal immigrant, or a tribesman who never once visited a city with cars, electricity, and running water. God does not promise technology, sanitation, or anything other than what we need to survive for as long as he wants. I am by no means perfect in this area. I do not trust the Lord daily for my provisions. But that’s what sanctification is for. We would do well to remember some of the things I have mentioned; specifically, the scriptures.