Understanding the Gift that Is Heavenly Immigration
Heavenly Immigration?
Confused yet? All will be revealed! First, consider the following passage of Scripture:
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. ” (Phil. 3:20-21)
In itself, this passage could and should be a blessing to any Believer who reads it. However, for me, one morning in 2011, it was an answer to prayer.
I was serving in Alaska at the time.
As a Canadian, I was serving a 3-year Youth Pastor term in Soldotna, Alaska. My status was R1, which represents a “Religious Worker” in Homeland Security terms. My wife, who is American was only permitted a 3-year leave from Canada before she lost her Canadian Permanent Residency status. This appeared to dovetail nicely, other than as our terms were coming to a close in September 2011, we were not convinced that our time in Alaska was completed.
We felt like we should stay; we felt like God had more for us in Alaska. So we got to work! Soon, both of us were up to our eyeballs in immigration paperwork. Both of us were trying to extend our terms, on different sides of the border. Needless to say, it was a struggle!
As we worked through the process, neither my wife nor I wanted to even entertain the thought that our time in Alaska may be coming to a close. We prayed that God would grant us the extra time. We prayed that through both government systems, the option (and documentation) to remain in Alaska and continue to serve in our current capacities, would be granted.
Then the paperwork came through!
God had answered our prayers! The permits and our status were extended, and He worked it all out in the end. And I learned so much! Enduring that season gave me new insight and appreciation into that passage I started with, from Philippians 3. It is an incredible comfort to read that regardless of what our future holds, our true “citizenship is in heaven.” And there’s no paperwork to fill out!
We’re not judged based on available finances, correct identification, and especially not our criminal record. Everything has been paid for in full! All offences are forgiven! And we are in perfect standing because of Jesus. All because of Jesus!
Moreover, the understanding that everyone is welcomed through the Gospel, with no identification of other citizenship to be shown is all part of the freedom that’s available to those who would believe. Our identity is not found in ourselves, but in the One who grants us entry into His Kingdom. Now that’s immigration; heavenly immigration!
