Symbols of Freedom ... May 25, 2006

I can imagine the scene in New York City's Hudson River over 100 years ago as the boats arrived. Vessels from other lands filled to capacity with the castaways and outcasts from nations far away. Many of these people had suffered under the hand of tyrants of government, and the tyranny of a harsh world without hope. The common thread of all the passengers on those boats is that they were tired of where they had been and had the hope of a better tomorrow. But the nagging question in all their minds as they drew near this new land was simply was the dream real? They had heard that there was a land of opportunity and freedom called America. A land where their fate could be decided not by the financial class that they were born in, but the wealth of character contained in their hearts and minds.

But on that long voyage the thought had to cross their mind if this place of freedom was real. And equally important was question of whether the doors of acceptance would be open to all those that arrive. These questions must have had their hearts pounding as they saw the shore of NY for the first time. But suddenly, as they rounded the entrance to the harbor they would see her; The Statue of Liberty. The maid of the harbor, who's light and stature told each member of the arrivings boat that the this land was real, and more importantly the dream of freedom was real to them.

For many of us, we are blessed not to relate to the agony of those castaways in search of their freedom. We do not relate to the struggle of feeling hopeless, and longing for a place where the tyranny of a harsh nation will be long gone. Always remember that as flawed and imperfect as this nation is, it is still the greatest nation on earth. No matter whether we are democrat of republican, liberal or conservative, no matter what race or creed, with all its flaws America is still the beacon of light to the entire world. And the Lady of the Harbor still stands as a monument of freedom to all who enter her harbor, or see her light from lands far away.

And although many of you do not relate to the tyranny of the physical geography you reside in, I believe all of us relate to the spiritual tyranny of living in a dark, lonely world, searching for the meaning and fulfillment of this life. And just as the Statue of liberty stands as a symbol of the land of freedom, so stands the Cross of Christ as a welcoming beacon of light to all humanity that your search for spiritual freedom, peace, and hope in this world is over. The cross of Christ says to all those who look upon it the words of Christ in Matt 11:28: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

If you feel like you are lost on your spiritual voyage, alone in a dark ocean of hopelessness, see the Cross of Christ as your light in life’s spiritual harbor. The Cross tells us that the price has been paid for our failures, and the barriers and oceans that were keeping us apart from God are no longer an issue. A new life is now available to you and to me today through Christ's sacrifice on Calvary. As you look upon the cross of Christ today, I challenge you to look upon it again for the first time. Gaze upon it's light in the dark harbors of your life, and in our most lost places, and you will see that it stands as God's symbol of freedom to man. We can know today that through the cross we are all welcome into a new land of spiritual freedom.