William Wilberforce

I was in Barnes and Noble yesterday walking through the Christian section (I use Christian loosely) and a book with a yellow binding leaped out of the shelf and caught my sight. It was on the bottom shelf so I looked a little closer and saw the name of the author, Wilberforce. I thought I wonder if that is William Wilberforce so I pulled the book out and behold it was William. The book is entitled Real Christianity. I have begun reading this book and will in the future blog upon the truths that the book reveals but for now I want to say something about the author.

If you have not seen the movie Amazing Grace I would encourage you to view this film. It is a powerful testament to a man who followed God into a realm that he himself did not seek to travel. William was greatly influenced by his pastor John Newton, the composer of Amazing Grace, and sought to follow in his steps desiring to possibly enter the ministry of the Gospel. However, God did not allow this path to be William's path but rather pushed him into the realm of politics. Here God would use William to stir the religious conscience of the rulers of England to abolish slavery.

Today, we often here that men should desire to be spiritual leaders. Sadly though, this thought is turned to missionary, pastor, and evangelist. William's life declares a politician can be a spiritual leader. Any man of any secular occupation can be a spiritual leader provided his heart is towards his Savior, Jesus Christ, in a demonstration of authentic faith. It is now evident to me that we must encourage young men and women to pursue God in the path of God's choosing. We must not feel that we are failures when the youth of today become the soldiers, carpenters, nurses, politicians, gas station attendants, or whatever else one might find to do that can be considered a holy occupation (not a drug dealer, purveyor of sexual sins, or the like). We must consider ourselves a failure when we produce "Christian workers" who do not display a heart for God or His people. We must consider ourselves a failure when we produce anyone who does not pursue God with a fervent passion and the mission He has given them to perform.

Thank you God, for the example of William Wilberforce, a politician for you.