Today's guest speaker in church spoke on immigration. Not as a matter of modern politics, but out of concern for the immigrants themselves. Yes, illegal immigration is a hot political topic right now, but while politicians, pundits and radio talkers all duke it out over the moral and legal arguments for and against certain policies, needy people are hurting and the harvest is plentiful (though as usual, the workers are few).

The following is what really struck me though. From the familiar text on the base of the Statue of Liberty:

"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!"

What's so striking about this excerpt from Emma Lazarus' poem is the similarity between those she describes and the ones described by the psalmist (Ps 72:12-14)...

For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
       the afflicted who have no one to help.

He will take pity on the weak and the needy
       and save the needy from death.

He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
       for precious is their blood in his sight.

I have to admit, after today I'm seeing immigrants a little differently. What was to me an issue largely for politicians to settle, I now see as a great opportunity for the Church to do what it's best at, ministering to people and extending God's grace! Especially considering the psalmist's clear description of exactly who the Lord singles out for rescuing (and redeeming).

ps... There is a tie in between this and a previous blog (So who will you vote for...?). I made the following statement: "Regarding issues that appear to be addressed very clearly in the Bible (aliens and strangers in this case), it's probably still a very good idea to hold back, be satisfied that God has convicted you, and allow him to convict others in their own time. I'm not sure that Christians standing up publically ... have ever brought conviction to an unbelieving population anywhere else in the world at any time in history. In fact, the only thing I see it doing is hardening hearts against the Church!!"  This is just one example of a social issue in which the Church should quietly minister, not lobby or protest.