The movie amazing grace follows the story of a man named Wilberforce who during his lifetime works to abolish the slave trade in England. He was a political activist in Parliament for years until some new friends convinced him to put a moral issue into action. Based upon his Christian based morals and the encouragement and support of his friends, he fought fiercely for the abolition of the slave trade. His fight was inspired by the song Amazing Grace which was written by the priest that told him to fight slavery. In the end, his goal of abolishing the slave trade was finished.
This can relate to parts of the film concerning LBJ’s war on poverty. In that movie, the black people were still feeling the impact of slavery in the south. They were stilled viewed as inferior even after the civil war called an end to slavery. Wilberforce fought to provide the slaves with human rights just as LBJ was fighting to give human rights to families that were too poor to afford them. This included not just blacks, but also many white families who were in just as bad of shape. Color didn’t matter in LBJ’s war because he saw that poor folk deserve to have the same economic opportunities as that of the rich. Wilberforce fought because he saw that the black brethren have the right to opportunities that were being provided to people in England and America.
This movie sends the message that one person can make a huge difference. Sometimes that impact is felt on a worldwide scale such as that of Wilberforce. But it can be as small as providing hope to just one single person. God commands us to not conform to the things of the world but to be transformed by the renewing of the Holy Spirit. The movie did a wonderful job of showing that Wilberforce was a man who did not allow the world to shape his behavior. He was transformed into a man who brought life to humans who were considered beasts. If God did that with Wilberforce, certainly he will do similar things within my life so that his message of love may reach the corners of the earth.
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