“‘Keep ancient lands you storied pomp!’ cried 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 golden lamp beside the door!”
Emma Lazarus – The New Colossus

I remember a trip I took long ago to meet this special lady. She was quite an imposing figure. Her skin color was a fine tanned patina. Her face was rather stoic and determined, yet elegantly wearing her crown. She held her torch high, proudly lighting the way for all. She stood 111 feet 6 inches high, weighed over 225 tons and had a 35-foot waistline. Her tablet held in one hand is inscribed with a special date – July 4, 1776. 

As I gazed in awe at Lady Liberty, what caught my attention were the broken shackles lying next to her feet. Representing freedom from tyranny and oppression. For some folks that may not seem the situation anymore. That deeply saddens me. Will the Lady stand the test of time? Can we be an advocate for someone to help them with a better vision for their life, their liberty, and their happiness?

Archie Williams may not be a name you recognize. If you are a fan of America’s Got Talent, then you may have seen him perform on the season debut this year. His story is of being wrongly convicted and sent to prison for life. It took 37 years for him to be set free after working with his advocates, Innocence Project. I do not know Archie, but that moment he stood on the stage singing showed me he had never stopped believing despite his imprisonment. If anyone deserves to be bitter in life, he has earned that. Something tells me that Archie somehow focused on his own pursuit of joy that sustained his life and freed his spirit long before he was released from prison. His initial letter to the Innocence Project in 1995 stated that “Only by the grace of God, I am holding on, hoping and praying that someone will answer my letter and help me.” Archie’s pursuit for liberty was for someone to care, someone to be his advocate, and someone to stand for him.

“Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:8-9 (NRSV)

Over 2000 years ago, Jesus came to this earth to deliver the good news for all. He faced constant opposition and persecution, yet he stayed steadfast in his mission. He came to right the wrong and open the way for the poor, beaten and downtrodden to have an opportunity for a new life. In Matthew 5, Jesus stood tall on the mountainside and shared the beatitudes with those seated at his feet. His words were a promise of a free, joyous, and abundant life.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 (NRSV)

Abundant life is a promise that Jesus makes to each of us if we follow him. In John chapter 10 we recall the familiar story of Jesus being steadfast and faithful just like the good shepherd who holds open the gateway to life for all who listen to his voice. We are reminded to leave behind the false and empty promises of sin for the joy of a full life in Christ.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10 (NRSV)

Are you living a life of abundance or scarcity?

The apostle Paul was in pursuit of this joy in Christ. He endured being stoned, flogged, beaten, and imprisoned for being wrongly accused of inciting riots and insubordination against the Roman empire. What sustained Paul? 

My Emmaus sponsor always reminds me “to invite the Holy Spirit in all things for He always hears us.” The Holy Spirit is our trusted advocate that goes before us and guides us. I am grateful that I was blessed with a sponsor who revealed the possibilities for my life as a Christian. Someone who stood steadfast and tall for me.

^“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17 (NRSV)

The Jewish leaders hated Paul for what he represented. Paul represented liberty from the Jewish laws that shackled and oppressed the poor. This liberty disrupted a way of life that was enjoyed by Jewish leadership. Their view of the pursuit of happiness was for their own good not for the good of others. Paul’s various prison sentences emboldened his followers to the possibilities. In the eyes of his followers Paul was a giant who was steadfast in his faith.

^“I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel……having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.”
Philippians 1: 12-14 (NRSV)

We only attain true liberty when we follow Christ. This liberty of the mind, heart and spirit frees us so that we are not bound to the yoke of sin that cheats us of the promised abundant life. We become emboldened by those around us who advocate for our life because it matters, for our liberty because it frees us and for our joy so we may live contently. 

What is keeping you from liberty?

When we begin to allow God to transform our own life, newfound liberty will break through and remove the chains of slavery to sin. In this transformation we begin to experience the fullness of joy that supersedes mere happiness.

“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16: 5 & 11 (NRSV)

An AUMC spiritual mentor always refers to this joy as enjoying a “slice of heaven” in the moment. It is God’s way of previewing the fullness that awaits us in the new Jerusalem, not just for us but for our neighbors as well. We worship a God who stands tall and steadfast in the face of oppression. 

What brings you true joy? Will we also stand tall in the face of oppression? Will you share this hope and joy with someone?

“We know where the Spirit of the Lord is, Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.  We’re yours, yours is the kingdom, we are yours, yours is the kingdom.”
Chris Tomlin (Christian singer/songwriter)

Peace be with you,

Kenny Shortsleeve, Lay Leader