America My Country?

I am in Kansas City, praying for a couple of weeks. Julie, my beau, and I came here right after JAMA Conference on July 4th. We went straight from the airport (Eddie picked us up) to Bob Hartley's house. He was having a 4th of July party. By the time we arrived, the party was well on the way. About 30 s and children sat in the backyard, thanking God for independence.

As I put my foot in the backyard, I had a culture shock. I consider myself Korean-American. I am an American citizen. Yet, as I saw the non-Asian Americans, mostly Caucasian Americans, I could not help feel less American. (Julie thinks it's because there were older Caucasians.) I had to mentally tell myself that I am an American.

Later people shared prayers and poems for America. When Bob asked if anyone had anything else to share, I shared the "Declaration of Dependence" we drafted for JAMA conference. When Bob asked if I wanted to read it or should he, I said, "I think it will be good to have an Asian-American read it." People were deeply moved. (It may find its way to some newspapers.)

Do we consider ourselves fully American? Korean-American, or Chinese-American, but fully American nonetheless? Or do we consider ourselves less American than fully American? That is to say, do we take full ownership of this great country? Do we feel responsible for this nation's well being, and do all we can to make it blessed? Or do we sit by the sideline of this nation?

The key theme of JAMA conference is to instill ownership of this nation to Korean-Americans. God has brought us here to make this nation great. We must step into the ownership of this nation. When people think of American in the future, may they think of Asians because God is using us to make America great, for God's glory.