“Out of Many, One.” This translation is the official motto, ‘E Pluribus Unum,’ for the United States of America which was created to be a reminder that amid the original Thirteen Colonies, there was one vision and one purpose. As the pilgrims crossed the ocean and journeyed to a land where they could have the freedom to express their love for God, imagine the hardships they faced. There were some that did not even get to see the land and yet faced the hardships the journey there offered. Imagine those that called them crazy, those that looked at them and said, “why would you leave everything, that is set up so comfortably for you, behind?” They were not satisfied. They desired to see a land where they could openly worship the One True God and know Him as they longed to. Out of many voices, claiming that there were multiple gods, they knew the One. They knew that out of the many colonies that had been set up, they were one united country. They knew that out of the one vision that was given to them to reach their promise land, there was One faithful Provider who would not give up on them.
These pilgrims experienced what we now call the W-shaped model. This model explains the adjustment of one immigrating or pilgriming to a new land. Immigrants can experience stages of excitement, cultural frustration, and by the time the migration is complete, they reach adjustment. Immigrants, in general, can experience culture shock, stress, and feel disoriented when coming to a new country. Many times this can cause setbacks in the growth or development of a “pilgrim” and how the person is able to create a community, whether faith based, a social network for work, or something else.
There are ways that as Christian’s, we can support and help someone moving from another country to America. One way is by having a perspective that is mindful of the differences and difficulties that can come from being a pilgrim. Hebrews 11:13 says, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” This is a very accurate example of what some of the pilgrims experienced, of what the Israelites experienced, and what modern day immigrants experience as they travel across the world, some not knowing where they are going.
We can also be encouraging and kind by following what Leviticus 19:34 says, “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself.” We should see them as chosen out of their land to inhabit another. Praying for immigrants to be able to love the new land they come to and to be able to easily find their setting in a new land is a powerful perspective. How can we love the neighbor who ran from a place that was suppressing them to come to the country that is free?
Comments