This weekend the movie, “Amazing Grace” is opening across the country.  It is the story or William Wilberforce, the British Parliamentarian that spent almost his entire political career fighting against the slave trade in England.  As a young man, he became a very devoted Christian and was headed for the ministry, when he decided to get involved in politics.

As a member of parliament, he became the leading voice for banning the slave trade.  Slavery was a major business for England and was a mainstay for the British economy at that time.  There were few that would even hear of discussing doing anything about the slave trade.  Wilberforce would not be stopped.  When he began he was the lone voice in a crowd of 300 to stand against slavery, but he would not quit.
As a result of his relentless campaign, Parliament banned the slave trade in 1807.  This led to the abolishment of slavery in 1833.  That occurred just after his death.  When you read the about the life of Wilberforce, you see a clear picture of what it means to be salt and light.

Last week I had the privilege of seeing the movie along with several hundred others.  It is well worth seeing.  It is a presentation of how Christianity can make a difference in confronting the culture and it shows how one person can make a difference.  It is a message for all of us, but particularly for our young people.