Yesterday, I needed to veg out by myself. Three options: a. Flip through books and magazines at Barnes and Noble b. Read a book at Starbucks c. Go see a movie. I chose the last option.
I sat in a theatre of approximately 40 people. Exactly 2 of us were under the age of 65, surrounded by a sea of white hair. I saw Amazing Grace, a lower budget film about the abolition of slavery in England in the 18th century, based around William Wilberforce's work, and more loosely, about his connection to John Newton, the pastor and former slave ship master who penned the song Amazing Grace. It is not necessarily the finest film ever made, but it was thought provoking, to be sure.
Wilberforce has been a man I've studied over the years, but it was interesting to see his story portrayed in this film. During his return to faith, Wilberforce struggled with his career in politics and wondered what that meant for his newer call to follow God. This story shows a progress in his faith and vocation, wherein he learned the two were not mutually exclusive: he could follow God and serve in the political realm too. Wilberforce found a way to connect his faith with his vocation and in so doing, persistently fought for the abolition of slavery, and spoke for those who could not speak for themselves. And, after many years of toil, his fight paid off. Obviously, one cannot always trust the factuality of films. I will say that this film has inspired me to read more about Wilberforce's drive and his passion.
Check it out...lets get some non-white haired folks in the theatre to see this film.
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