(Michael Paul) Who among you would stand against those who seek to reshape this nation for their own selfish purposes? They hide behind distorted ideals and twisted political agendas. Yet, their goal is clear—undermining the foundations that made America great. Would you stand firm, even at the expense of your comfort? Your safety? Perhaps even your life? I have faced these questions before and made my choice. Now, I stand here, not as a “stranger” but as one of you—a voice defending the nation I cherish, guided by faith and the fundamental truths this land was built upon.
Some would call me an outsider. I wasn’t born here, and I speak with an accent that some mock. But make no mistake: I love this country with the depth and reverence some native-born Americans take for granted. I have known life under tyranny, where freedom is but a fading dream and voices are silenced by oppression. It was there that I found strength in God’s Word: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). I longed for that freedom, not just for myself, but for my people as well. So, when the chance came to serve alongside American forces in Iraq, I took it—not for gain, but because I believed in what this country stood for.
I was called many names back then—a traitor, an infidel, even a puppet of foreign interests. But I know that my battle was not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities of darkness that held my people captive (Ephesians 6:12). I chose to join American efforts during Operation Iraqi Freedom not to fight my own brothers and sisters, but to break the chains of dictatorship that bound them. I stood for what was righteous because I knew that true liberty is a gift from God, and I sought a path to that liberation through the principles enshrined in this nation.
When I arrived here as an immigrant, I was determined to become an American citizen. I had seen what America represented—a land where the words “All men are created equal” are more than just a declaration, but a conviction born from the truth that we are all created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). On the day I stood before the American flag and took my oath, I felt more than pride—I felt a calling. I became not just a man from a distant land but an American committed to upholding the faith, family, and freedom that define this great nation.
And yet, even now, there are moments when I am reminded that I’m seen as different. People ask where I’m from or mock my accent as if I couldn’t possibly understand what it means to be a patriot. But I would argue that perhaps I understand it better than most. I know what it is like to live without freedom, hope, or a voice. I know what it is like to fight for the simple right to speak your mind or choose your leaders. To me, freedom isn’t just a right—it’s a responsibility.
That’s why I am filled with deep gratitude every time I step into the voting booth. For me, casting a ballot in this country is not just a right—it’s a privilege, a sacred duty that countless have sacrificed to protect. I don’t vote out of routine or party loyalty. I vote with the intention to safeguard the values that make this nation unique: faith, the sanctity of life, and the freedom that flows from the unchanging truth that our rights come not from man but from our Creator. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). I vote because I long to see America rise again, to stand as a shining city on a hill whose light cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14).
Now, as this election draws near, I can’t help but wonder—who will stand with me? Not just to cast a vote but to reaffirm what it means to be an American. We should reject those who would manipulate our values for their own gain and instead support those who will defend the principles upon which this nation was built. I vote for a leader who values the sanctity of life, who believes in protecting the freedoms we hold dear, and who understands that our strength comes not from division but from unity under God and the shared belief in liberty. I vote for someone who believes that God’s law, not man’s, is the foundation of true justice.
I cast my vote for the America that took me in, for the ideals that shaped me, and for the future we must fight to protect. I vote because I love this country and because I believe in its promise. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12). Will you stand with me in defending the values that make us who we are?
We are at a crossroads. There are forces that seek to dismantle the moral fabric of this nation. But I am reminded of the words of Joshua: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). This election, I choose to stand for the man who stands for God, America, and our great nation.
Who will you stand for?
Michael Paul
