I Pledge

Yesterday, I experienced something for the first time. I found myself in a courtroom (don’t get any ideas!) filled with 86 individuals celebrating one of the most significant moments of their lives. These 86 men and women from around the world took their Oath of Allegiance to become United States citizens. It was a joy to join with other friends as we celebrated one of our international (now national!!) students taking the oath! The joy of life is doing it together. Celebrating the highs and walking through the lows.

I was deeply moved by the ceremony and the tears that flowed as these newly naturalized individuals were bestowed the responsibility and privilege of U.S. citizenship. I, too, am a citizen of the United States with these same responsibilities and privileges, but there is such a sense of familiarity that I rarely consider them. I became a U.S. citizen in 1983 by birth. My citizenship was granted to me through a long line of U.S. citizens going back to the 18th Century when some of the Irish Rushes decided to head West. I didn’t have a chance to meet them, but I’m thankful for their courage. I’m sure the same courageous spirit would be expressed in the stories of these 86 individuals.   

America is a nation of immigrants tracing a collective origin back to 1607 and the Jamestown settlement. There have been challenges along the way, but after 250 years in the making, she is still going strong. As the judge mentioned yesterday, we are a nation under the rule of law rather than a person. That places a significant responsibility on citizens to preserve the moral fabric that upholds the law. It’s not just privilege but responsibility. As I experienced the naturalization process, it gave me an appreciation for the privileges of citizenship and a reminder that it comes with responsibility. I am a representative of this representative democracy.

As I live out the responsibilities and privileges of U.S. citizenship, how much more do I represent my citizenship in the kingdom of God? This is where our citizenship as Jesus followers finds its ultimate expression, even if we are citizens of different countries on earth. Along with our citizenship in God’s kingdom comes the responsibilities and privileges therein! We represent our King, and He grants us the privilege to be called children of God. As citizens of heaven, God appoints us as ambassadors to make His appeal to those on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). How strong is His appeal through us? 

It's easy to take our earthly citizenship for granted. If we are citizens of the United States, there is a good chance that someone along the way sacrificed a great deal. I don’t know the precise sacrifice of the 86 people in the courtroom yesterday, but I know there was sacrifice through the tears and joy they expressed. 

I was granted citizenship in God’s kingdom the moment I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. It was His sacrifice that purchased my conveyance into His kingdom. But there are both responsibilities and privileges that come with being a citizen of heaven. I am a representative on earth of my allegiance to Christ and His kingdom. You are too, if you’ve chosen to follow Jesus.  

May we always remember God’s daily appeal through us as we represent Jesus Christ!