Tomorrow marks the 200th anniversary of William Wilberforce’s triumphant crusade to abolish slavery. Wilberforce was relentless. Each year he argued for truth and righteousness. Each year he was voted down.
On Feb. 23, 1807, after two decades of determination by Member of Parliament Wilberforce, the House of Commons voted to abolish the British slave trade,
changing the course of history.
He could have backed down. He could have quit. 23 years of failure. 23 years of mockery by the elite. But he stood tall. But he was encouraged by John Newton, his pastor, to press on.
Newton had some personal knowledge of the slave trade. He once captained his own ship, shuttling slaves for money across the sea. But on one trip, he encountered a frightening storm – and dedicated his life to serving the God of mercy and grace. The song, Amazing Grace, is a reflection of his own life.
The story is the subject of the movie, Amazing Grace, opening in theaters tomorrow.
What is your experience? Have you sailed the wrong ship? Have you turned around, totally changed by grace? Are others – like Wilberforce – watching you and might inspired to change the world?
Read all past issues at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davidrupert
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