Putting Away All Prejudice – by Bermie Dizon

There has been much discussion about immigrants lately, and unfortunately, some of the comments have been negative. I remember my first visit to the USA in 1978 to attend a Youth Leadership conference for the church I was part of. Later, in 1980, I returned on a student visa to study theology and graduated in 1984. It wasn’t until 1996 that my family and I moved to the USA as immigrants, where I began serving as a full-time pastor.

The truth is, no matter what negative things people may say about immigrants, the United States itself was built by immigrants. People came here from Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and beyond. Historians even tell us that Native Americans were originally immigrants from Asia who traveled through the Bering land bridge many years ago. Despite this, I still remember that during my first month here, someone told me I didn’t belong and that I should return to the Philippines. While it was painful to hear, I managed to smile, knowing that this person’s ancestors had also come from another country. I could have easily said the same to him.

The journey of an immigrant is filled with challenges and uncertainty, and often, there’s a sense of not quite belonging. They leave behind their homes, familiar faces, and everything they’ve ever known. They embark on a path of difficulties, navigating through a new culture, language, and way of life, all while holding on to the hope of finding a place to call home.

Interestingly, the Bible tells us that we are all immigrants. As Christians, we are also on a similar journey. Hebrews 11:13 describes us as “foreigners and strangers on earth.” This world is not our permanent home. Our true citizenship is in heaven. Just like immigrants, we are passing through, learning how to navigate this life while keeping our eyes on our heavenly home.

Immigrants experience struggles that mirror our Christian walk. They leave behind everything familiar, just as we Christians long for our heavenly home where we will be reunited with God. They must learn new customs, languages, and ways of life, and often face misunderstandings and prejudice. Similarly, we must navigate a world whose values may conflict with our faith. Jesus said we are to be in the world but not of it (John 17:14-16).

As immigrants may struggle with identity, feeling torn between two worlds, so do Christians. We might be seen as outsiders for our faith, just as immigrants can be labeled because of their skin tone or accent. But our true identity is in Christ. We are children of God (1 John 3:1), and that is where our belonging lies, even when we feel out of place in this world. What truly matters is what God thinks of us, not the judgment of others.

The truth is, we share more similarities than differences. Hebrews 11 reminds us that the heroes of faith were “looking forward to a better country—a heavenly one.” They lived by faith, trusting God’s promises, even when they did not see them fulfilled in their lifetime. Their faith was not in what this world could offer, but in the assurance of what God had prepared for them.

Why am I sharing this? Because just as immigrants hold on to the hope of a better life, we hold on to the hope of eternal life with Christ. It’s this hope that sustains us through our trials and challenges. We are called to represent Christ in this world, to share His love, grace, and truth with those around us (2 Corinthians 5:20). Our lives should reflect the values of our heavenly home.

Yes, we are all immigrants in one way or another. We are all on a journey, looking forward to the promise of our Heavenly Father—a better country, a heavenly home where we will dwell with Him forever.

As immigrants on earth and citizens of heaven, we are called to live with hope, representing Christ in all that we do. Let us remember that we are not alone in our journey, and our true home awaits us in God’s presence.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for reminding us that this world is not our final destination. Help us to live with hope, trusting in Your promises. Guide us as we navigate this life, and may we always reflect Your love and grace to others. Teach us to see every person, regardless of their background, as valuable in Your sight. Strengthen us as we look forward to our heavenly home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 Excerpted from “God in Every Step” now available at Amazon.com. Bermie Dizon is a husband, father, grandfather and retired pastor living in Southern California.