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Becoming a Citizen

On May 23^rd 2008, I became an American citizen. In a large gymnasium hastily converted into a courtroom, before a presiding judge and with all due pomp and circumstance, I pledged allegiance to my new country and was granted the rights and privileges that citizenship brings. 

It was a surprisingly moving ceremony punctuated by patriotic songs and speeches about freedom. There were around 1,100 of us, from 85 different nations. The immigration officials several times spoke of the incredible stories—the hardships that some people had endured to gain the privilege of citizenship. I was sitting next to a man from Bangladesh who had not seen his wife in more than eight years in order that he could become an American citizen and have her come and join him legally. For me, coming from a nation like Britain, I take freedom and justice for granted, but many people were from oppressive regimes or situations where the rule of law has no sway, and poverty and injustice are a way of life. In becoming citizens of the US, they are liberated.

There were several judges and even a US senator in attendance. An immigration official had to swear on our behalf that all of us had been investigated and no just cause was found whereby we might be denied citizenship, and we all had to raise our right hands and solemnly promise that there was no reason we knew of why we should not become citizens. We were then informed of the rights and privileges we would automatically have as citizens of the United States. These included such things as the right to travel under an American passport, the right to vote and so on. We were also informed of our responsibilities including the fact that any of us could be called on to fight for our country if the occasion arose. America’s wars are now my wars.

Finally, we had to give up any loyalty that we might have had to “kings, potentates and other authorities” and swear allegiance to our new country. We pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and were all declared to be American citizens, with a certificate to prove it. Then pandemonium broke out as the court adjourned and everyone began celebrating.

I am very proud of my British heritage. But now I’m also proud to be an American. 

This is the second time I have changed citizenship. I was actually born into an oppressive regime that sought to marginalize all its citizens. There was no justice; its citizens frequently lived in fear, and breaking its laws carried the death penalty. At the age of 11, I had the opportunity to change my citizenship and I appeared before a judge. This time, I could not claim that I was worthy to be granted citizenship, but Someone came and stood in my place, and my right to become a citizen of this new country was based on His righteousness rather than my own. And so in the courtroom of heaven, I relinquished my citizenship in the kingdom of darkness and became a citizen of the Kingdom of light ruled by a good, righteous and just King. However, I became more than just a citizen; I was welcomed into the royal family with all the rights and privileges, not just of citizenship, but also of sonship. 

Just like becoming an American, there are also responsibilities tied up with citizenship of the Kingdom. I was born again into a nation at war. Like it or not, her wars are now my wars, and God’s Kingdom is in the process of invading the kingdom of darkness. I also have the privilege and responsibility of acting as an ambassador for this Kingdom wherever I go, and of letting others know that they can be free from the oppression of the regime they currently live under.  They too can change citizenship and come under the rule of a King who loves them and is longing to welcome them into His Kingdom.

 

For a year now, I have been studying the subject of the Kingdom of God. This post is the first of several to discuss this subject. I will be very interested to hear your comments too—I have not come to many set conclusions on the topic and am aware it is one of those subjects that the Holy Spirit is bringing to people’s attention.

 

More Trends

First, a quick update on Joy, the lady in India who was facing prison two weeks ago because of her activities for the Gospel and for whom many were praying.  YM writes:

"Dear brother and sister,

Greetings thanks for your prayers and concern. Joy got bail yesterday by God's grace.

Thanks again for your prayers
YM"

 

 

A couple of posts ago we looked at six encouraging spiritual trends that a group of us from around the country are noticing.  Here is a continuation of that discussion.  Again, these are not in any particular order of importance.

 

7.  There are more answers to prayer and they seem to be coming more quickly. Many are experiencing a greater sense of God’s presence.

8.  Interdenominational co-operation: There seems to be an increasing amount of collaboration between different denominations on ideas, conferences and meetings. This is typified by come of the co-operation on the Facebook website.

9. There are some great movies out there that raise the right questions and give us more tools to look at spirituality and a focus for discussion. Movies like Why Did I Get Married and Juno would fit in that category. Even Oprah’s “church” reveals the amount of spiritual hunger out there. (In our conversation, there was a caution raised here. Windows of spiritual awareness may close so we need to take advantage of them while they are open.)

10. The emphasis on waiting in God’s presence which some may call “soaking” will cause the move of the Holy Spirit to accelerate.

11. Missional businesses: There are more people interested in Kingdom-minded businesses. We are hearing increasing stories of people starting businesses that God is blessing so much that their time is being freed for the Kingdom.

12. Interest from mega-churches: There have been several instances of mega-churches being in contact with the simple church movement with an amazing openness to what we are doing. One is asking how they can bless us, another how they can get involved in starting organic churches and others wanting to learn more. What would happen if the mega and micro learned to co-operate?