On February 23rd, 2007 the movie Amazing Grace will begin airing in theatres across the United States. This movie is produced by Bristol Bay Productions, the same company that brought us the Academy Award winning film Ray. From what I have seen of the promotional materials, it will be a thought-provoking film. Indeed, it has already generated discussion as it is much more than a movie that details the historical facts of the beloved hymn bearing the same name. This movie tells the tale of John Newton and William Wilberforce and the fight against slavery in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s and, as I said, it does something more. This movie is redemptive in the fact that it also draws attention to the plight of an estimated 27 million modern day slaves.
Imagine that. In this day of technological progress and education there are an estimated 27 million slaves still being mistreated and taken advantage of throughout the modern world and this includes within the confines of the United States.
In conjunction with the release of the film Amazing Grace, a campaign to abolish modern day slavery and allow children and adults around the world to live in freedom has been launched. The hope of the campaign is to motivate students and communities to speak out against modern day slavery.
I am no expert on this subject and I will be honest. Before seeing the promotional material on this film, this issue had not even been on my radar. However, I have been doing some research since and I believe that some action on my part is required by the Lord. Having said that, I also believe that I must not forget the billions on this earth who are held in the spiritual bondage of slavery. While the physical bonds of slavery are dire circumstances and I would not wish them on any one, those who die in spiritual bondage will live in that way eternally with no hope and be separated from God forever.
I will do what God calls me to do in working within the cause against modern day slavery because it is right to do so. Those held within slavery should be given the chance to experience freedom and to experience mercy, love, and grace. Even more so, I have been given the responsibility to be an ambassador of Christ to those who are spiritually in bondage to sin and who have no hope besides Jesus to find freedom. They too need to experience grace, mercy and love.