William Wilberforce

I got the movie Amazing Grace from the library this week. I've watched it three times now. What a beautiful thing - to see the story of a man such as William Wilberforce told in such a way as to appeal to modern audiences, without shying away from the passionate Christian faith which drove this man to seek the abolition of the slave trade... how good to see prominent actors used in a truly Christian, clean film... oh that the time those actors and crew members invested in learning about this man would lead them to open their hearts to the Gospel.

Pray that the Lord might raise up more men (and women) like Wilberforce! I've studied a little about him this week and I am truly amazed at his character, zeal, love, and abundant faith demonstrated in such selfless works of mercy. As a member of Parliament, father of six children, and one of the most influential men in Britain, he did not make excuses - as so many of us do - no, he spent time in the Word, in prayer, in communing with God; he actually sat down with his diary, made lists of unbelieving friends and acquaintances, and took the time to plan out topics of conversation he could bring up that would deliberately give him an opportunity to share the Gospel. Having inherited great wealth, he gave most of it away and founded numerous charities. He was very sick and weak, hated by many of his fellows in Parliament, despised and even physically threatened by slavers and the landed aristocracy, haunted day and night by the cruelties of slavery which he just couldn't erase from his mind; but in all this he persevered, knowing that God had clearly called him to this task.

Isn't it sad that today we look at people who are zealous for serving the poor and wanting to do good in this world, and shy away from that as a "social gospel" mindset? Isn't it sad that many politicians say they are Christians in their private lives, but assure their constituents that this will NOT affect their public lives? Isn't it sad that those in politics who are professing Christians are often viewed so negatively by the general public? Wilberforce is an example of a man who was a professing Christian in the public realm, at a time much like today in which nominal Christianity was the norm. He was highly ridiculed for taking his faith too seriously; yet his personality was so winsome, so joyful, so pleasant and easy, that people were drawn to him like a magnet. He was always laughing, just gushing with deep and abiding joy, and he did not hide WHY he was joyful. It was all because of Christ. I hope that all of us who truly believe would have such vibrant, peaceful lives that we too might be magnets to a lost and dying world around us which is searching in vain for that joy in everything but God. May I learn to profess the cause of my joy and contentment more plainly and without shame: "I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Savior."