Immigration Rumination: How to Stay Grounded in the Conflict

I observe people, including crowds of people, and I can’t help but notice that many of us are very upset about various aspects of immigration. I’m not an expert on politics and government, but I do know something about psychology, sociology, and scripture, so in this blog I’d like to comment on those things.

I read this morning: 

The sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants, everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast to my covenant—even them I will bring to my holy mountain. . . My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations. Isaiah 56:6, 7b. 

First, I can see that God is global. He gathers foreigners to Himself. If He lives in our hearts, we will be just as welcoming to people from other lands, cultures, religions, and ethnic backgrounds.

But I also read recently that “the nations rage, and people plot a vain thing” (Psalm 2:1). Governments are political. The nature of politics is an ongoing, drawn-out, unending fight for dominance. And the rage is vain—it’s a futile effort toward self-exaltation. To jump into the middle of a political fight is to contribute to that vain striving, where everyone wants to win, but nobody actually does.

Remember, the media is manipulative. I can tell you this as a person who listens to people’s stories: Tell them accurately, and they’ll be boring and tedious. The mind loves stories with a hero, a villain, and an innocent victim, called the Karpman Drama Triangle, named after psychiatrist Steven B. Karpman way back in 1968. These “Drama Triangles” appeal to the brain. Bear in mind that media sources, right down to some guy posting his own video, will omit important facts when they detract from this appeal. If I’m honest, we’re all being played by a bunch of marketing geniuses.

So, unplug and touch grass. And as God leads, try to meet and help actual people caught up in the current crisis. Here’s what I do: I know several people here illegally. I ask them questions and offer to them help as I’m able. I also know people who work for immigration. I ask them questions, too, and learn important things. God asks that we cooperate with state law that does not press us to break His law. Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” He also asks us to love foreigners. By God’s grace, we can hold this tension. What about helping undocumented people learn English? What about helping them fill out paperwork? These would be worthy endeavors.

Whatever we do, let’s not make enemies of one another over this. I see brothers and sisters going past the point of healthy argumentation, engaging in self-righteous lording over, patronizing put-downs, and the ever-present virtue signaling. We need to hear one another’s perspectives. So,let’s share, but hold our views lightly, knowing we’re all biased.

A wise writer said, “The sin that is most nearly hopeless and incurable is pride of opinion, self-conceit. This stands in the way of all growth.” God calls us to humility, to “esteem others better” than ourselves (Phil 2:3). He says, “Above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Col 3:14, ESV).

What are your thoughts? How are you coping? Login to comment.

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