Question. Are you a “good” global worker? 

Before I went overseas, I had big (“faith-filled”) ideas about success. About relationships I might build. Ways I might see God work. My ability to master the language. Sacrifices I’d make. 

Years later, the gap felt vast between the person I wanted to be and the person I was. What did that mean about God? About…me? 

I thought of this once as a friend described talking to herself. 

She leaned forward. Her eyebrows arrowed downward as her finger jabbed, thumb held like a pistol. It was as if there were two of her. The bouncer version, whipping the schlumping, cowering version of herself into shape. 

Together, we named her bad-cop version of herself Elvira (black-leather-and-biker-boots clad, in my mind). Who BTW, I’d never want to meet in a dark alley. 

What does your personal Elvira tell you about your work overseas? About you? 

My friend’s Elvira likes to shame my friend into performing better. Elvira’s favorite word is “should.” Sometimes, her idea of God’s voice took on Elvira’s. (We could rename Elvira something more obvious like Lucy…Fer.) 

But when I see Jesus confronted with lies in the desert, I see Him confronting Satan and the threats against Jesus’ identity (“If you really are the Son of God…”) with Scripture. Not muscle or hustle. 

Henri Nouwen identified three core identity lies Elvira likes to toss up: 

• “I am what I do” (power, control) 




• “I am what others say or think about me” (affection, esteem) 




• “I am what I have” (security, survival) 

Which one or two are Elvira’s pet lies? 

Naming Elvira helps me sort what’s constructive from what’s corrupting. 

Your own Elvira might be shame-filled or afraid. Our Enemy is disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), dovetailing with our personalities, wounds, cravings.  

Dissolve her with truth: “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ… (2 Corinthians 10:5). As James says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (4:7). 

Jesus has already won the verdict for me as a global worker and person in the daily courtroom. My identity–thanks to Him–consists of being a daughter, loved, on whom favor rests. 

Using Scripture, go beat up Elvira.