Christians, Undocumented Immigrants, and Soapboxes.

I fear this post is going to anger and offend some very good people, but it needs to be said.

I don’t claim to be politically savvy or even all that knowledgeable. I usually listen to people who have the same values as me and I pretty much go along with their votes come election times. I’m not a big debater, but I will question things from time to time and usually a family member or respected pastor will guide me. I’m a great follower.

Yet, in this area I have an opinion that no amount of debating can change.

Illegal aliens. Is there some other PC way of saying that? Oh well. In some of the circles I hang with, I hear that phrase being tossed about quite a bit. Why are they getting our jobs? Our heath care? Our benefits. Why should they be allowed in our schools? I live in Southern California, so you can imagine.

(UPDATE: a reader let me know below that “Undocumented Immigrant is a better word choice. I changed the title of this post to reflect that, but I’m leaving the above part here so you can see 1. What has changed in 6 years since I wrote this and 2. That education about these matters is an ongoing process. I’m not even sure that this phrase was around 6 years ago, but I agree that it’s much more humanizing. Thanks, Tabitha, for bringing it to my attention.)

I had a sick stomach the other day listening to some of my friends moan and groan about Mexicans here illegally taking our jobs, our schools, our driver’s licenses, etc.

A note about some of my friends. They are missionaries. They leave the comforts of their home to go minister to the sick and poor in third world countries. And may God bless them for that! Like most of us Christ-followers, they desire to spread the love of Jesus to the needy.

As long as the needy don’t cross any boundaries, right?

My rant here isn’t really about how people get here, or whether or not they should be allowed. It boils down to this: They’re here. They’re in need. Maybe they’re not all poor, but the majority where I live are. There’s more that want to come because their lives back home are even more destitute.

What are you going to do about it? Complain that we need stricter laws to keep them out? Resent them for working and going to school? Roll your eyes when they’re speaking in their native language to one another in public? Why? Because somehow, in all your wisdom, you had the foresight to be born here and have the inherent right to do those things?

Philippians 3:20 says that our citizenship is in heaven.

Jesus says in John 13:35 that all men will know we are Christians by our love for one another. And we don’t have to wonder what Jesus would do if he was living in the U.S. today. He’d be saving the unwanted and despised, like the Samaritan woman at the well. He’d be praising the poor that gave so little, but in doing so gave all their hearts, like the widow in the temple. He’d be having dinner parties with the pastors and politicians and the drug dealers, prostitutes and gangsters.

And what would the people who are here illegally be doing? They’d be doing their best to find Him and follow Him and listen to Him, just like we would. They’d be hoping for healing and meaning and even just a glimpse, just like we would. There would be no, But I was born here! ticket that got us closer to touching the hem of His garment. Because that’s what Jesus does. He levels the playing field.

If the people of this nation took half the time we spend analyzing, complaining, and commenting on the affairs of our nation and used that time to minister to the very people we complain about, how much more could we impact this world for Christ? (And yes, that includes me!)

Maybe you don’t complain about undocumented immigrants. Maybe dishonest politicians or irresponsible celebrities really get you going. Perhaps it’s those hypocritical Christians that get you on your soapbox, or that annoying neighbor who doesn’t respect your homeowner’s society rules. Maybe it’s the beggars on the freeway off ramps who are probably scamming you.

Well, shush then. Jesus is coming, my friends. Either He will come to us and take us to heaven before we die or we will go to Him when we do, but it will happen to each of us. Why waste any more time resenting and complaining about His people?

There is a difference between being a healthy activist and just spreading dissent and hatred for entertainment’s sake. Be informed. Vote every chance you get and stand up for what you believe in. Write your letters to congressmen, forward helpful emails, and use your voice to make a difference on issues that really matter. Maybe border security is something that really matters to you. Then support those lawmakers who share your beliefs and simultaneously love those God has placed in your own backyard. With God, all things are possible.

Otherwise, if you’re just another armchair politician, then stop. Stop complaining. Stop resenting. Get off your soapbox and love somebody.

Guess what? Jesus is living in the U.S. today, in US. So, what is He going to do today? Who is He going to visit and minister to?

Go. Serve. Love.

And shush.