The Statue of Liberty is my Kind of Gal!

The Statue of Liberty is a great and noble piece of America. It is the America that I love. It is part of the country that I think most resonates with Jesus. It is the America that we have most deserted and betrayed.

The inscription reads like scripture itself:

"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "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!"

This is more than liberty from enemies. This is diplomacy and friendship (with the French) in trying times and a monument to friendship, unity, and peace. This is an invitation to the world for people who, wanting to come, to come. But not just anybody, the worst, the lowest class of people, poor wanderers, without a home, without anything but hope, and even that isn't necessary. They are "tired," they are the "refuse," and they are "homeless." It is this that I love.

Jesus said:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3-10)

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

This is the America that I like being a part of, the one that matches up with Jesus. It values the thing He does and its heart bleeds for the things of His. Jesus changed the world with uneducated fisherman, simpletons, corrupt IRS agents and America is built on the backs of homeless refuse.

This is it, the upside down kingdom where "the least are desired." The kingdom where "you can keep your wealthy, famous, and talented because we are going to build the revolution with nobodies." "Anybody is welcome, no matter their lot and how much they contribute."

May we see the Statue of Liberty with all the symbolism we can muster but may we, even more, see it with the eyes of those who saw it for the first time after only dreaming of it first. May we truly understand its real significance, instead of our distorted perceptions we bring to it. May we see Jesus in it, the upside kingdom He loves and promulgates, and let them be our highest ideals. Though they be unpopular, unfair and illogical, May we let them wash us over us making us as beautiful as He.

Blessings and Peace!

P.S.
Look at the picture again, it is all people!