Pastor's Corner: Thankful for U.S.A. citizenship

I just returned from a vacation in Florida, where we spent time with our youngest son, who is stationed there in the U.S. Navy. While there, I spent a significant amount of time soaking in outside hot tubs. During one of those soaking times, I ended up conversing with two men about my age or older (mid-50s) about the value of U.S.A. citizenship. One man, Ivan, was an immigrant from Cuba; the other man, Pablo, an immigrant from Indonesia. When I asked them why they left their respective home countries to come to the U.S.A., Ivan immediately answered that the Cuban government was oppressive to the Cuban people, and he didn’t want any part of that. Pablo indicated that the Indonesian government reached a point when they didn’t want anyone in Indonesia who wasn’t 100 percent Indonesian — so Pablo was no longer welcome in that country. Both of these men legally immigrated to the U.S.A. and both of these men love the fact that they have a voice in the government of this country, that our government is not oppressive, and that our country welcomes all people who seek legal immigration.

One of our youngest son’s friends, Carlos, is in his 20s and is from Brazil. He has a green card and is seeking eventual citizenship in the U.S.A. When I asked him why he came to the U.S.A., he responded by saying that he appreciates the opportunities that he has in the U.S.A. to make money and seek a better life for himself and he enjoys the safety here. He indicated that if you are a person of means in Brazil, you are an easy target for someone wanting what you have — therefore you never feel safe.

Now I know that you are wondering: “Hey, this is supposed to be a religious article. What does any of this have to do with God?” Well, the Bible encourages us to be thankful for the blessings bestowed upon us. It is obvious that some of the blessings in this country that we enjoy and can be thankful for include:

• A government that is not oppressive;

• A government that encourages the citizens to get involved;

• A country that welcomes all people who seek legal immigration;

• A country in which we have the opportunities afforded us to make money and make better lives for ourselves and our family members;

• And a country that, overall for the most part, is safe.

So, let us each express thanks to God for our citizenship in this great country, the U.S.A.!

And why not honor what the Bible has to say about our responses to government, Scriptures like:

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” — Romans 13:1

“Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,” — Titus 3:1

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.” — 1 Peter 2:13-17

“Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” — Romans 13:7

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” — 1 Timothy 2:1-4

In a day and age when there is much rhetoric and politicking going on with regards to the issues regarding immigration, let us determine that we will be thankful for our citizenship and become good citizens. Amen!

——

The Rev. Edroy “Curt” Curtis is president of the Greater Havre Area Ministerial Association and lead pastor of Havre Assembly of God Church