As an elementary school student, I remember collecting pennies to donate towards the restoration of the Statue of Liberty crown. Can you imagine the coordination it took for millions of small children to collect pennies towards a National Treasure? This amazingly oversized statue is not only special to the immigrants that passed by her in the 1800s and early 1900s, but is an iconic symbol of America.
It has become a symbol of leaving everything behind, risking everything for a new life, and creating new life with freedom.
This is the same picture of what must happen when we come to know Jesus Christ as our Savior. We leave behind worldly items and behaviors, risking much for a new life in Him. Jesus becomes the way to freedom…not just a resolute statue in symbolism, but rather real freedom.
In John 8:12 (NASB), Jesus said “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
Simply stated, Jesus as a lamplight towards freedom surpasses any amount of political, economic, or social persecution that could occur on earth. That type of freedom is all encompassing. Passing the Statue of Liberty as a new arrival must have been an awe-inspiring experience and sense of freedom, but knowing you are heaven bound is an even greater feeling.
The freedom offered by the Father, through His Son, is the ultimate freedom. As we celebrate the freedoms of America on certain days, such as the 4th of July, let us not forget that Christ’s freedom should be celebrated daily.
Happy day after the 4th of July!
~Emily
Iron Porch 
Thank you for this article. I remember how special it felt as an elementary school student to collect pennies to “save the USS Alabama” battleship in Mobile Bay. Headed for the scrap heap, a group of veterans and lawmakers decided to bring it to Alabama and make it an icon of naval history. It quickly became one of Alabama’s most visited sites, along with the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. Such icons are truly symbolic of our nation’s history. Wishing you and yours a blessed 4th.
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