Mr. Wilberforce
Mr. William Wilberforce was elected to the British Parliament at the age of 21. 9 years later, he began the crusade to abolish slavery in the United Kingdom. It took 18 years for him to pass a bill through Parliament to abolish slavery. All the while, he remained dedicated and passionate about his cause. His devotion and care caused him extreme physical deterioration and sickness throughout the campaign. While watching the movie Amazing Grace I could not help but to admire his passion and faithfulness to his calling. He chose to serve God through politics and showed his love for God and for people in his fight against the injustice of the slave trade. He started as 1 against 300 and slowly built ground using the gifts God gave him to transform the world for the better. This is what passionate men sold out for God can do to this world.
On the way back from the movie, one of the guys, who shall remain nameless for his own protection, made a comment about how Wilberforce’s wife, Barbara Spooner, was “money” and how he wanted a wife like that. I pointed out that she was money because he was money. Women of noble character are attracted to men of noble character. You want a wife of noble character, become a man of noble character. William Wilberforce had such incredible character. He persevered through the hardships and opposition. He held fast to what was right and maintained his passion. He was just as passionate about abolition 8 years after he started. A week ago I was talking to a bunch of friends about character and I asked the question, what is character and what does it look like. It looks like William Wilberforce. Someone, who at the core of his very being, was devoted and faithful, passionate and determined. “It remains to be seen what God will do with a man who gives himself up wholly unto Him.” D.L. Moody said to himself: “Well I will be that man.”
I wish to be that man too.