So now you are no longer strangers and aliens. Rather, you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household. – Ephesians 2:19

This morning the idea of being “A World Citizen” has been on my mind. There are several factors driving my thinking, among which are the rise of nationalism (in many countries), the increase in tensions on the world stage, the fueling of xenophobia for cynical political purposes, and some of the new barriers people are running into when it comes to international travel.

Travel has always been, for me, a definitive element of my identity. I have spent time in – best estimate – more than forty countries. Out son, Andrew (who lives in Krakow with his wife Alicia and their son Mr. T), has loved the wide world since he was studying atlases instead of coloring books all the way back in preschool.

In Maul family lore the question, “Where does a nice Presbyterian boy from Florida meet a beautiful Presbyterian girl from Michigan?” is answered by the response: “In the Northern Italian mountains, of course, when he is living in Tuscany and she is teaching in Kiev.”

All this came into clear focus a few months ago when I found myself in the unanticipated position of having to acquire a British passport. I made a big deal about giving up this document when I became a U.S. citizen in 1985. I owned strong feelings about my decision to become American, and it was important to lean into my new country (even though it really upset my mother).

But recently the U.K. decided to require visas for Americans entering the country, and I fell into a catch-22. Great Britain, you see, with its history of administering a Commonwealth, has never stopped viewing me as British. When I stood in front of a federal judge and swore, “I disavow allegiance to any foreign prince, potentate or power,” Queen Elizabeth (at that time) said, “Blah, blah, blah, blah…. We believe you are still English.”

In consequence the U.K. will not – cannot – issue an entry visa “Because we believe he is still English, so Derek doesn’t need one.” My only recourse, if I ever wanted to travel to the United Kingdom again, was to secure a British passport.

On the face of it this is, to me, simply a travel document. I am an American, one hundred percent.

But peel away the layers, and I think having two passports is also a very cool symbol of something larger. Because the longer I live the more I identify with this idea that I am a citizen of this Good Earth. And I also believe that while patriotism is a beautiful sentiment, “nationalism” is not. I find the following distinction helpful:

• Patriotism is rooted in love for one’s own people and country, along with a willingness to make sacrifices for the common good.
• Nationalism promotes the idea that “My nation is superior to all others,” and often prioritizes national interests at the expense of international cooperation and human rights.

Back in Genesis, at the very beginning of the Creation Story, we find this most elemental and telling observation: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” 

“All” means everything, the entire planet, all people on the planet, no exceptions.

Nationalism goes against the fundamental principles of our faith. When our primary identity is that of “God’s children,” then our status as brothers and sisters is self-evident and unquestionable.

So I guess I am a little bit glad I have been forced to secure that British passport. Now if I can only master the language again…!

Below – from my 1972 passport!