Happy 4th of July—enjoy freedom to its fullest!
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13
I can think of no better symbol to focus on as we celebrate the 246th birthday of America this weekend, than Lady Liberty. Not only does she symbolize all that we love about our nation, but she stands above the fray, lighting the way for other nations too. At 305 feet high, and holding a torch in her left hand and the Declaration of Independence on a tablet in her right hand, dated, July 4, 1776, she greets those who are otherwise scorned with these beautiful words of welcome etched into her foundation,
“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!” Emma Lazarus, known as America’s first important Jewish poet
Yes, Lady Liberty is outwardly focused, lighting the Way, and so is Women in the Window International thanks to praying friends like you! Your prayers, your financial offerings, your volunteer service enable us to continue to light the way forward, replacing poverty and injustice with dignity and purpose in Christ.
The seven points of her crown are incredibly significant for Women in the Window as they symbolize:
- Seven Seas
- Seven continents
- Seven rays of the sun shining the light of liberty around the world
More fascinating and fun facts are listed below and can be found here:10 Fascinating Facts
- She was first formed from an Egyptian “model”
- She is thin-skinned
- Crowd-funded—with most of the gifts funding her under $1
- Broken chains of injustice at her feet symbolize abolition of slavery
- Spies attacked her torch
- She ‘dances’ in the wind—up to 3 inches & 5 inches for her torch
- She lights up the night 😉—600 lightning bolts hit her every single year
- Each element symbolizes FREEDOM— the book she carries and the seven points of her crown.
- Thomas Edison wanted her to be a public speaker 😊!
- She’s on the move! Her right leg is in mid-stride and her right foot is positioned to leave the ground, leading us all forward on the path of liberty and freedom for all.
I have now spent time in 45 nations across the globe. And, in each nation, I have been thrilled to meet women and men, boys and girls, too, who have been touched and transformed by the liberating message of our Savior, Jesus Christ. In many cases they received this Good News of the Gospel, because of American Christians who obeyed the Lord’s commandment to take His message to the ends of the earth and make disciples who will make disciples. What a legacy of liberty!
So, in this same Spirit of Liberty, and instead of our usual monthly First Friday call of prayer, I’d like to issue a personal or family Call to Prayer for America. In a spirit of humility and with a heart of praise, we extend a clarion call to raise our voices high on behalf of the people of America and all that is “America,” with a fervent desire that we might become even more than what was envisioned by our Founding Fathers and Mothers. They had their own sins, misguided prejudices, and human flaws. But lest we forget, so do we all. Let’s undertake the daily diligence of allowing the Holy Spirit to search us and know us, see if there is any wicked way in us, and lead us (and our nation) in the Way Everlasting. Here are some great Scripture prayers: Psalm 139:23-24; Psalm 19:12-14; Matthew 7:3-5; Colossians 3:12-17
Then like Lady Liberty, let’s march forward, shining the Light of His Truth to the very ends of the world.
Rejoicing in His Promise of Liberty and Justice for all,
Kim
P.S. You are warmly invited to our Women in the Window International’s Meet & Greet event sponsored by our board of directors, on Saturday 7PM, July 30th at the Church in the Gardens, 3937 Holly Dr. WPB, FL, 33410, Save the date! Please let us know if you can join us to meet Jackline Odhiambo, WiW ministry partner and Director of Nyanam International.
