Freedom

Wives In Touch

with God and one another

Dear Sister In Christ,

Ellis Island in New York Harbor was the gateway to America for more than 12 million immigrants between 1892 and 1924. The Statue of Liberty was the first structure many immigrants saw as they entered the country. It became a world symbol of the United States as a place of freedom, refuge and hope.

The statue portrays liberty in the form of a woman. She wears flowing robes. Her head is adorned with a seven-spiked crown symbolizing the seven seas and seven continents. Lady Liberty bears a torch in her right hand and in her left, a book of law. Broken chains, symbolizing the overthrow of tyranny, lie at her feet.

Words of welcome, penned by Emma Lazarus, are indelibly inscribed at the base of the statue: “…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-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

In a very real sense—those who flee oppression, poverty, persecution, injustice; those who are foreigners and aliens; the disenfranchised; those who are weary and in need of rest; the poor and needy; the huddled masses of society who yearn for the freedom found only in God’s Son; the wretched; the homeless and solitary people seeking that sense of true belonging and family, and those who have been battered and beaten, tempest-tossed by the storms of life—those who seek a place of refuge and hope, come from all over the world, carrying their baggage, and arrive at the doors of the Church.

Upon arriving in America, immigrants find hope in Lady Liberty. As people come to our churches, do you, First Lady, display the hope they seek?

Much like Lady Liberty, pastors’ wives who yield to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit symbolize the liberating power of Christ (John 8:36). God clothes us with strength and dignity (Proverbs 31:25), garments of salvation and robes of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). Upon our head is a crown of God’s beauty (Isaiah 61:3). As bearers of His light, we shine for the entire world to see our good deeds and praise our Heavenly Father (Matthew 5:14, 16).

First Ladies who open their hearts to the Lord can then open their arms to the poor and extend their hands to the needy (Proverbs 31:8-9, 20). In this way we honor God (Proverbs 14:21).

And yet, we often tire and grow weary in well doing. Some of you First Ladies reading this may be presently experiencing such fatigue. Over time, even Lady Liberty begins to show signs of wear.

Beginning in 1984, she underwent two years of extensive renovations. A team of French and American craftsmen repaired popped rivets, replaced corroded iron ribs and strengthened her arm that had been incorrectly installed 100 years earlier. And in keeping with the sculptor’s original conception, the old flame was replaced.

Popped rivets, corroded ribs, weak arms…have you ever felt this way? I know I have. How good to know that God is committed to our continual renewal. Spending time in his presence is “the pause that refreshes.” Feeble hands are strengthened and weak knees made steady. We become the reflection of his glory. When our hearts are overwhelmed (corroded ribs?) we can run to the Rock that is higher than I and find refuge (Psalm 61: 1-4).

“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 (Matthew 11:28-29 NIV). The book of Mark records five separate occasions when Jesus took his disciples away to a quiet place to escape the crush of the crowd and find rest. God still promises rest for the weary. He leads beside still waters and restores our souls.

As we reflect upon Lady Liberty and all that she symbolizes, may it remind us that we are God’s workmanship, created to do good works. This world will only find true freedom, refuge and hope in Christ Jesus…and as we experience His rest and restoration we can point the way.

Peace,

Meredith R. Sheppard

Wives In Touch is a ministry of prayer and encouragement for pastors’ wives.
Mail all correspondence to: Wives In Touch, 2803 Breaker Circle, Hayward, CA 94545, USA
msheppard1234@earthlink.net