A heady weekend for me indeed! Yesterday, I was blessed to finally watch Amazing Grace, an extraordinary movie about the great abolitionist, William Wilberforce. Today, I finally sat down and watched Facing the Giants, a movie made by godly men and women who desired to begin reclaiming the arts for God. The passionate, devout, and practical Christian faith presented by both these movies humbled and inspired me, and they made me think about my life and how I'm living it.
William Wilberforce was a young man - only 21 - when he was initially elected to the British Parliament. His career was unremarkable until after his conversion to Evangelical Christianity in 1786 and his subsequent contact with abolitionists like Thomas Clarkson. He was appalled with the degradation and horrors inflicted on human beings made in the image of God, and he began his campaign to abolish the British slave trade in 1789, when he gave his first speech against it in Parliament.
For eighteen long years, with many setbacks - both politically and in his health - Wilberforce slogged on, introducing and re-introducing his bill to abolish the slave trade with dogged determination. It wasn't until 1807 that the bill was finally passed and made into law!
Yet Wilberforce didn't stop there. Although he campaigned to redress the inequities of many social ills, his central focus appeared to remain on cleansing England of the abomination of slavery. He continued his efforts to free men, fighting on to eventually outlaw slavery in the British Empire. Eventually, his health could no longer take the strain, and he retired from Parliament in 1825 - yet, in 1833, three days before his death, Wilberforce heard the great news that the House of Commons had passed a law which freed the slaves in British colonies.
A true story about a true hero of the Christian faith.
Facing the Giants is a simple movie, an uplifting movie, about how God can bless the life that is 100% committed to Him. Yes, the movie has a very basic theology - God may not say yes to every couple's prayers for children, for instance - but it is a lovely reminder that our God is the GREAT God, the Lord God Almighty. There is nothing too difficult for Him, and His eyes are searching the earth, looking for the man or woman who is dedicated to Him, so that He may show Himself strong on their behalf. God can do anything He wants to, and He loves to bless His children abundantly! This film clearly presents Christ as the Savior who transforms His followers and wants every part of their lives committed to Him so that He may bring healing and strength and glory.
A beautiful parable about the power of the Creator of the Universe - Who is also the Lover of our souls.
Put these two movies together, and I am wondering - Where are our Wilberforces? How can we stand against the giants in our lives?
And suddenly, God's still small voice reminded me: *I* am a Wilberforce. The very God of Creation dwells within me, waiting for me to turn to Him and to use His power in my life. God desires to use me as another David, who faced down Goliath with nothing but a sling and a stone - and unshakeable faith in God. God wants me to be His Nehemiah and rebuild the walls of my own Jerusalem in spite of seemingly impossible odds. God wants me to be a Lazarus; He wants to call me out of the grave of sin and give me new life - eternal life.
I can free slaves. I can slay giants. I can rebuild a city. I can walk on water. I can keep from sin. I can do the impossible!
Jesus Himself said
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
Jesus has claimed me for His own, and what man may deem impossible, He can do - because with God, ALL things are possible.
For several weeks, I've been thinking on MercyMe's song, "So Long, Self," and been longing to sing along
So long self
Well it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me farewell
Oh well, Goodbye, don't cry
So Long Self
I can put off my old man, my old sinful nature, my dead and putrifying self and put on the glorious and unspotted raiment - the character of Christ. I can stop listening to how the habits of my body are defining me and limiting me, and I can step out in faith and believe that how God defines me is how I truly am:
- I am called in Christ
- I am chosen in Christ
- I am loved in Christ
- I am precious in Christ
- I am perfect in Christ
- I am righteous in Christ
- I have purpose in Christ
- I have strength in Christ
- I can do all things through Christ
And so, it's time to listen to and believe the "Voice of Truth" -
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing wavesTo step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His handBut the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
When I give 100% to God, He gives back 1,000,000%. When I fully commit to Him, He fully commits to me.
And, in the center of God's will, working in His power... I am a majority.
So I'm going to lay it down. I'm going to leave it all on the field. I'm going to "...[forget] those things which are behind and [reach] forward to those things which are ahead, I [will] press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
I'm going to be a Wilberforce.
Want to join me?
