AMERICA'S OPEN DOOR

AMERICA’S OPEN DOOR

The greatness of America does not reside in any singular ideology; neither does it rest upon the mindset or capability of any one person. Our Great American Experiment is not based upon any political party affiliation or any social dogma. America is unique because of its theological foundations. Although we have evolved into a fundamentally humanistic and secular society, our foundational roots are decidedly religious, and particularly Christian. Our Pledge of Allegiance declares that we are “ONE NATION, UNDER GOD.”

American history is not devoid of crises, challenges, problems, or pains. America has experienced more than its share of ‘growing pains’ in its struggle to become inclusive of all people. But what I love about our nation is that (up to now) our doors have remained largely open to receive those who would disembark on our shores to become an integral part of this Great American Experiment, which exists under the proud banner that we call FREEDOM.

Admittedly, freedom carries risk. For instance, it has never been easy to be an immigrant in America. Africans arrived shackled in chains. Asians were not initially welcomed here. Neither were persons of Italian, Irish, Polish, Russian, South American, Central American, Carribbean, Mexican, or Middle-Eastern descent, along with other groups who were typically ridiculed in their first generations and denied full access to The American Dream.

Nevertheless, by the grace of God we have prevailed. And we have witnessed progress, notwithstanding our pressures and pains. Over time, we have become more open to change, albeit occasionally at a great sacrifice for new groups that dared to traverse our shores.

We have prevailed (despite our problems and pains) because we are truly a ‘melting pot’ of ethnic, cultural and national diversity. I love THAT America.

The inscription on the Statue of Liberty, a gift of the nation of France, expresses it far more eloquently than I:

“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!”

Today, it seems somewhat tempting for some to close the doors of America. Some say that new arrivals threaten the fiscal security and stability of the established citizenry of our nation. Some contend that other persons (who do not look like us, think like us, act like us, or worship like us) constitute an existential threat due to the global crisis of terrorism.

IT WOULD BE TEMPTING TO CLOSE THE DOOR TO AMERICA.

However, every one of us should pause for just one moment…and THINK. History reveals that every arriving group (once devalued and detested) contributed far more than was initially expected – so much more to our collective pool of talent – producing multiplied thousands of cutting-edge inventions, along with a plethora of world-changing expertise in academia, art, music, trade, commerce, linguistics, cuisine, fashion, religion, government, and on and on and on.

My friends, let’s not close our doors. OPEN DOORS reflect the light and love of Almighty God. America is the nation that should always lend a cordial invitation and welcome to the “tired,” to the “poor,” to the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” to those considered to be “wretched refuse,” or to the “tempest tossed,” and even to the “homeless.” That is America, as advertised. Let’s not disappoint the world, that has long since looked to us as a BEACON OF LIFE, LIGHT AND LIBERTY. As a collective act of our will and our love for humanity, let’s resolve to keep ‘LIFTING OUR LAMP BESIDE THE GOLDEN DOOR.’

My prayer is simply this: “GOD BLESS AMERICA, AND GOD BLESS EVERY NATION. FOR, INDEED, YOU ARE THE GOD OF ALL PEOPLE AND ALL NATIONS. AMEN.”

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!