Here On A Work Visa

I’ll never forget her response after the World Trade Center bombings that fateful Tuesday. She sincerely apologized for the loss of life and tragedy that had just shook our country. Her response at first seemed a bit cold, odd if you will. But then I realized, this was not her home.

We worked together at an engineering firm; she was a beautiful Indian woman here in the U.S. on a work visa. Although not American, her life was impacted as all of our lives were after the attacks. Her work visa didn’t exempt her from delays in U.S. airports or the new rules for travel.

At the onset of the recession, many claimed that there was no recession in the Kingdom! Many poo-pooed if you will the very thought that God’s elect would suffer economically. Our Father is rich in houses and land! We’re children of the Most High! Then the scripture, “I’m in the world but not of it” gained a bit of popularity. It was used to ward off creditors and the repo man. But I think we forgot we are here on a temporary work visa and we’re impacted [directly or indirectly] by what happens here.

The bible says it rains on the just and the unjust. King Solomon said time and chance happen to everyone.

We’re here on a temporary work visa.

And working here means that our lives are sometimes touched by things that leave us asking why. Call it a work hazard that the Father has already foreseen and equipped you to handle and repays handsomely for. (Romans 8:18)

Whether some want to admit it or not, the recession has impacted the church. Lots of surveys and reports say church giving is down for the first time during such an economic downturn.(1)(2) Many within the church have lost their jobs, homes and cars. Many are underemployed and the March 2010 numbers show the unemployment rate at 9.7 percent, and within the African-American community it’s almost double at 16.7 percent!(3)

As foreigners it would be wise of us to band together and be of help to one another since we’re all working for the same Employer. That’s how the first church did it…one person’s prosperity was for another person’s lack. (Honest, it’s in there.)

So to all the Kingdom citizens here on work visas be encouraged and walk in wisdom in this season. Leaders be compassionate and accept the truth that we are being impacted by what’s going on in the world around us. We’re only here for a short time, work visas do expire and then it’s time for the ultimate payday.

Image by Anonymous: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/as012a2569