An Immigrant’s Reflection on Freedom

In 2023, I proudly became a U.S. citizen.

Standing there with my certificate and an American flag in my hands, I felt the weight of a gift I did not grow up knowing.

Of all the privileges that came with this new identity, there are a few I especially treasure:

the freedom to pursue my dreams,
the freedom to vote,
and the freedom to share my faith.

These may sound ordinary to many people.

But for me, they are not ordinary at all.

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When Freedom Was Not Familiar

For much of my life, those freedoms were not something I knew.

I never knew I could paint because creativity was not encouraged. I did not grow up believing art could be something God might use through my hands.

In college, I was given fewer opportunities because I would not join the primary political party. I learned early that choices of conscience could cost something.

And I was once threatened by school authorities to betray my faith — and my brothers and sisters in Christ.

So when I say freedom is precious to me, I do not say it lightly.

Earthly freedom was something I did not fully know the taste of…

until America embraced me.

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Freedom Is a Gift to Steward

Many of us here were born into this freedom.

But to me, it has always felt like an entrusted gift. And this gift was never meant to end with me.

Freedom on this earth is not just something to celebrate.

It is something to steward.

That is what I have been thinking about as we celebrate freedom in this country. I am deeply grateful for the freedom I have been given. I am thankful for the ability to worship openly, to speak freely, to create, to vote, and to follow the calling God has placed in my hands.

But the more I treasure this freedom, the more I realize it cannot only be used for my own comfort, my own dreams, or my own life.

“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required.”
Luke 12:48

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Remembering Those Whose Freedom Was Taken Away

So with the freedom I have been given, I want to speak for my brothers and sisters whose freedom has been taken away — those who still live with hope because of the greater freedom we share in Christ.

Around the world, many believers do not have the freedom to gather safely.

- They are imprisoned for their faith, yet they sing, serve, and share the gospel.

- They do not know when violent extremists may show up, yet they still gather.

- They carry trauma in their bodies and minds, yet they still forgive and praise.

They are children of our Heavenly Father.

And our Father sees them.

They may have lost much in this world, but they are not forgotten by God. One day, they will inherit His Kingdom. One day, there will be reward and crown waiting for those who endured with faith. (Matthew 5:10-11)

Whatever You Did for One of the Least of These

Jesus said,

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40

Those words are for you and me.

Because when we remember the suffering Church, we are not simply remembering a distant cause.

We are remembering family.

Brothers and sisters.

Children of the same Father.

Members of the same Body.

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What Is This Freedom For?

For those of us who have been entrusted with much freedom in this world, I believe we are invited to ask an important question:

What is this freedom for?

Is it only for comfort? for opportunity? for building our own lives?

Or can it also become a gift laid down in love?

Maybe one day in God’s Kingdom, someone will come up to us and say,

“Thank you for that cup of water.”

Thank you for remembering.
Thank you for praying.
Thank you for giving.
Thank you for standing with us when the world looked away.

Nothing done for Christ will be wasted.

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Steward Well the Freedom You Have Been Given

So this is my plea:

Steward well the freedom God has given you.

Celebrate it with gratitude. Protect it with humility. And use it with love.