In a gospel musical I watched in mid-June, there was a touching scene where a mother, seriously ill and near death, encouraged her son in the UK to keep trusting God. It deeply moved me. As immigrants, we often can’t be with our family back home. That’s a hard reality we must live with. And as we try to settle into a new place, we may also face another kind of distance—we’re not always seen as “truly belonging” by the locals. Even those born and raised in this new country may still struggle with identity and acceptance.
I’ve personally experienced this confusion as an immigrant. I’ve asked myself, “After moving here, am I now a second-class citizen?” These questions can bring sadness. But in truth, we don’t choose where we’re born or who our parents are. All of this is part of God’s plan. And God wants us to understand that every part of our life has meaning. What matters is whether we’re willing to come to Him and seek His purpose for us.
As Christians, we don’t need to be trapped by the feeling of being “second-class.” We are not just citizens of an earthly country—we are citizens of God’s Kingdom. Whether we are local-born or come from another land, in God’s eyes, we are all equal. We are all citizens of His Kingdom and travelers in this world. Our true home is not on this earth. We often try so hard to get people to accept us, but do we remember that we are already accepted as citizens of Heaven?
I’m so thankful to serve among a diverse group of Chinese believers—from mainland China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Europe, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Macau. We have different cultures and backgrounds, but we are united as citizens of God’s Kingdom. Even with our differences, we care for and accept one another. That is a true witness of God’s Kingdom among us. We can live lives full of joy and love—love that’s not limited by nationality or geography. Whether God keeps us in Manchester or leads us somewhere else, we remain citizens of His Kingdom.
We are proud—not of any earthly passport—but because we belong to God’s Kingdom. That identity can never be taken away. Doesn’t it make you smile to know that you will always be part of God’s family? God has accepted us fully. We are already members of His household. Let us enjoy His peace and beauty in His family, because we have a citizenship that never changes—the citizenship of God’s Kingdom!
“Consequently, You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household.” (Ephesians 2:19)
Pastor Tak Lee