Love: A Borderless Christian Vision

Few weeks ago, I got an opportunity to visit the United States. It was for the purpose of attending the Global Leadership Forum of Compassion International. About eleven years ago I left the country after completing my first degree in theology. Then, I lived in Chicago for three years. I felt somehow that my recent visit was different. I experienced my second culture shock to the American culture (and people so to speak).

September 11, 2001 has changed the world map and situation, especially the United States. The brutal terrorist attack on WTC and the Pentagon created deep trauma for the Americans and the rest of the world. This attack, in my perspective found its ground in hatred. As a result of that traumatic event, entering the United States has been becoming more and more difficult, especially for those who come from Islamic countries or countries with huge number of Muslim population, like Indonesia – which in addition to that situation is unfortunately famous as the home for some of the most wanted terrorists. In some European countries, I know by my own experience, the time for visa processing for countries associated with terrorism is longer compared with other countries. A friend of mine told me few weeks before my departure to the United States that obtaining a US-Visa is considered more difficult than approaching the gate of heaven (read: salvation). In fact, my first application for US-Visa was refused. Praise God, I got the US-visa on my second coming to the embassy. A friend of mine had to apply for three times before he got the US-visa. The list of so many sad stories of visa refusal is to be frank endless.

Somehow, I felt uncomfortable with my recent trip to the United States. I felt a little bit intimidated. It was uneasy for me to face the immigration officer at the Los Angeles International Airport. My good fellow told me how he previously was randomly selected for further investigation in the Airport, and it took three hours before he was finally ‘released.’ Thank to God for making my way to enter the United States smooth - people do support me in prayer, and God answered!.

There I met friends, brother and sisters in Christ who warmly welcomed me. This truly was a comfort to me, knowing that friendship and brotherhood in Christ is not limited and bordered by nationality and passport issuing countries. The world’s perspective on the United States and the United States’ perspective on the world may be dramatically changed because of the horror and hatred of 9/11, but friendship and brotherhood in Christ have a different stronger foundation: it is love, a vision given by our Lord himself to rule all of the world’s elements to live in harmony. Love is not only a feeling nor an action, but a vision that should drive the life of the believers and all creatures. It is love that overcame my second culture shock upon visiting the United States of America.