First Steps – August 24, 2020

I’m a sucker for “On this day” trivia.  I’m sure you’ve heard many, “On this day in so-so year, this person did this” or “On this day in so-so year, this was invented or that took place.”  I don’t know why I’ve always favored this form of trivia; I just do.

Did you know that on this day, August 24, in 1759, William Wilberforce was born?  Do you recognize the name?  Maybe after a few minutes, something might be triggered in the back portion of your memory bank and you recall his work.

He graduated from Cambridge University in 1780 and entered Parliament.  It was about that time that he met John and Charles Wesley who convinced him that he should use his office and influence to work for the moral uplift of society.  A deeply devoted Christian, and because of his faith convictions, Wilberforce set his face towards the ending of the British Slave Trade.  For him, there was no greater moral blight on the English conscience; therefore, he would not rest until his country recognized the injustice and horrendous cruelty forced upon another group of people.

His position was not well received, and many thought his position was unattainable because of the financial profiteering of the slave trade; however, Wilberforce wouldn’t relent. Finally, after more than twenty years of effort, a bill was passed in Parliament outlawing slave-trading in 1807. It took another twenty-six years for the complete emancipation for all slaves in the British Empire.

He was convinced that slavery was a moral evil and it was his duty to right the wrong.  Behind that conviction was his faith in Jesus Christ. I would hazard to guess his efforts would not have been successful if he wasn’t driven by his conviction derived from faith.  So, here are my questions for you: What drives you to not quit in the face of opposition and regardless of how high the mountain before you sits, you know you must climb it?  Where do you see a moral evil that plagues society, one that must be eradicated?  If we pray for God’s Kingdom to come, surely, we have to be willing to work toward that same Kingdom we so desperately desire.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6