Amazing Grace
Ros and I went and saw the film Amazing Grace last night. To be honest I was hardly blown away it, but I found it interesting how they portrade John Newton, the guy who wrote this amazing hymn. After his years of being a slave trader he came to know Jesus and wrote this amazing hymn as a response. He was portrayed as somebody who was well aware of the redeeming love of God, but who still battled daily with demons of his past.
It’s never a bad thing to be reminded of how gracious God is, and what better time than Good Friday to use these famous words to reflect on how true it is Amazing Grace…that saves a wretch like me.
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.
And Grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
I have already come.
‘Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far
And Grace will lead me home.
His Word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
In 1973 I visited Cape Coast and Elmina slave castles in Ghana, the land once called the Gold Coast .
My guide was the Pastor of the All Souls Church of Cape Coast, the church started by the British Abolitionist Society after Wilberforce finally succeeded in abolishing slave trade in British Dominions. As i walked thru at age 28 , I imagined myself as John Neuton. the young entreprenure and buyer of black flesh for his sexual gratification . Who knows what were the devils’ delights at sea.
Murder, torture, and rape were the diversions and tools of control for slave merchants.
After his ship nearly sunk in a great storm enroute to England, that leg of the three way trade which transported American tobbaco and cotton, Neuton came to fear of the Lord. He began to admit his toils and snares were sin. Yet, for a season he continued in the flesh trade attempting to curb his ans his crew’s murders, tortures and rapes. He lead bible studies for his crews.
He finally quit the trade.
Lord, send more storms upon the flesh traders and labor exploiters.