"But our citizenship is in Heaven.."

My heart feels full this morning. I feel encouraged and joyful. I feel secure and strangely at peace, though my circumstances haven't actually changed.

For some of you that have been following a bit of mine and Jamie's story, you'll know that we've been thinking and talking about visas. It may seem boring and meaningless to you, but for us--this simple document has the potential to change our lives entirely--our life, our love, our family, and our marriage is on the line.

Everything is at stake. The cost is great, but the loss would be far greater.

The UK government  (for understandable reasons) has imposed a new law upon couples in which one of the partners is international. Thus, the rule applies to our situation. Unless you and your partner can financially meet X amount of money or assets, the future does not look good for you. In fact, in your future you might even face the threat or reality of separation from the one you love.

How could they do this? How could they separate YOU? These are just a couple of the many questions we've received. I know it doesn't make sense. I know it doesn't seem possible, or fair. Trust me, I've had this same conversation with myself. But whether we like it or not, in this day and age, the government has the final say. The decision is theirs.

Based on mine and Jamie's circumstances, money is limited, lacking, or non-existent. You see, we aren't in the "line of work" that we're in for the money, and we knew we wouldn't be. We didn't want to be. We simply are here to serve God, young people, and the community in which God has placed around us. We want to live lives that reflect Jesus' glory in all that we do.

We are students who fell in love, were separated by an ocean, got married and involved in full time youth ministry, and now...we're facing the unbearable question: will we be separated again? Could it really all come down to these coins and pieces of paper? This very thing that we have tried so hard to be content without? Even though we've trusted that God has and would continue to provide for our every need as we seek Him? Well, the answer is yes, and no.

The government could infact deny my visa application, making it very difficult  for me to remain living in the UK, and that would be down to our financial capabilities, or lack of them.

However, what God has joined together, let no man separate (Mark 10:9).

So, you see. We are up against the rulers and officials of this world; yet, we do not fear a "decision", and we do not lose heart, because nothing can separate US from the LOVE of CHRIST (Romans 8:28-39).

Sure, we as two people could potentially be separated; but hear this. Nothing. N.O.T.H.I.N.G can separate us from God's love for us. And therefore, we will be just fine. My soul rejoices in this truth. I take great delight in my Saviour who has rescued me from the worry of things such as this. Things that appear big and impossible, that He has proved time and time again, are of no real challenge for Him. He is faithful.

So with that said, my soul is full today knowing that the paperwork is finished, the headaches can leave, and I can rest secure knowing that my visa application has been completed, paid for, and is now on it's way to the Home Office. I feel incredibly excited about this, as strange as it may sound.

And you know what I will hold on to today? Philippians 3:20-21...

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly away a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring EVERYTHING under control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body."

Wow, what a day that will be.

You see friends, even if I am allowed (and I pray that I will be) to settle in the UK, I will still not be fully home. My home is in Heaven, with God. And it is for THAT citizenship that I look most forward to! I cannot wait for the day when I will not have to get out my passport, walk through customs, or fill out 100 million pieces of complicated papers. I will simply fall at the feet of my Saviour, with inadequate paperwork to show for my insignificant life on earth, and will bask in the grace and citizenship that HE has so FREELY given me.

My, oh my. What a joy it will be to be to hear my Saviour say, "Welcome Home." And to know that no passport or visa is needed, nor accepted in this Kingdom.

Are you confident where your true citizenship lies? Today, you can know for sure.