Daily Wisdom 06-05-2001 Liberty

Last week my wife and I visited New York City for the very first time, and had a wonderful experience. However, growing up in West Virginia, North Carolina and most recently Kentucky, did not prepare us for anything we witnessed while in the Big Apple. I was amazed at the sights, fragrances, and sounds of the most famous city in the world. The enormity of the Empire State Building, the magical effects of Times Square, the history of Broadway, and every type of food known to man were things I generally was not accustomed to in my everyday life.But the most memorable thing during the whole trip was experienced during the ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty. As we were moving closer to Lady Liberty, I thought of the famous poem by Emma Lazarus, which is graven on a tablet within the statue's pedestal.

The ending says:"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

These words and the mere sight of what Emma described as the New Colossus, brought tears to my eyes.While thinking of these words, and gazing at the massive statute that stands on the shores of what so many immigrants knew as the New World, I couldn't help but think of Jesus. Can you hear Jesus saying those very same words as He stands between this world and the next holding the torch high enough for the lost to find their way safely?

I immediately thought of the day when I made my own voyage as a spiritual immigrant, of being led by the light of His torch and giving my heart and soul to Him. The day I pledged my allegiance to the Lamb of God. John 8:12 says, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Then I thought of the many lighthouses that pointed a safe passage to Lady Liberty from around the world, and was reminded of something else Christ said in Matthew 5:14-16:"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

After looking at these Scriptures in this light, I'd like to ask you if you are a spiritual immigrant who needs the light of Christ? As a lighthouse pointing a safe passage to Lady Liberty, I would like to point you to Christ, and give you a similar invitation,"Give Him your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to Christ, He lifts His lamp beside the golden door!"

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