The Worth of Citizenship

It was an event I will never forget. A significant day in the life of our family. It wasn’t a marriage, an anniversary, or a birth, but something significant none-the-less. It was February 4, 2009, the day my Jamaican husband became an American citizen.

There were over 100 immigrants representing some 40 countries all gathered at an auditorium in downtown Denver to be sworn in as American citizens. As the words to Lee Greenwood’s song, “Proud to be and American,” echoed through the auditorium tears streamed down many faces. With a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in the minds of these new citizens.

Were they hopeful? After all they were now citizens in the “land of opportunity.” Were they sad? Most of them were surrendering their citizenship to their home countries to become Americans. Were they relieved? The process for American citizenship is not easy by any means.

I love how Paul explains citizenship in Philippians 3, although the citizenship he is referring to is that of heaven.

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21”

The citizenship process for Matthew began several years ago when he arrived in the States as a student. Once we were married the student visa he held was no longer valid and he had to apply for a green card. Several months and several hundred dollars later he had his green card. Then he had to wait another few years and a few hundred dollars later to apply for citizenship. It was a long, expensive process to say the least. On many occasions Matthew felt used and abused by the “system.” The rules and regulations seemed ridiculous, and we questioned if the process was worth it.

In the end it was worth it, and I live with a husband who’s proud to be an American, but what a contrast to read about citizenship in heaven. There are no forms to complete, no fees to pay, no waiting months on end for a letter in the mail that says we can go on to the next step of salvation. No, it’s a simple process with a huge reward. It’s a three-letter word—Yes—that states we are one with Christ. It’s freedom because we know that our future is secure with Christ in Heaven. It’s a privilege as we now eagerly wait for the returning of our Savior who will transform our lives to live in glory forever.

So my question is this: Why do so many migrate to other countries year after year and endure the expensive and difficult process of becoming a citizen to that country, but when offered the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus and citizenship in Heaven, many more turn their back and walk away?