I'm sure it comes as no surprise to any of y'all that I love history. Recently, I read the autobiography of Harriet Jacobs. ("Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl.") Although some would look at this story and turn away, I was completely fascinated by it. The story of this young girl and all the things that she had to endure is amazing to me. But one thing that stuck out to me is what I read on page 81. At this point, I realized why I love history, and how our God works in wonderful ways.
" There are thousands, who, like good uncle Fred, are thirsting for the water of life; but the law forbids it, and the churches withhold it. They send the Bible to heathen abroad, and neglect the heathen at home. I am glad that missionaries go out to the dark corners of the earth; but I ask them not to overlook the dark corners at home. Talk to American slaveholders as you talk to savages in Africa. Tell them it was wrong to traffic in men. Tell them it is sinful to sell thier own children, and atrocious to violate their own daughters. Tell them that all men are brethren, and that man has no right to shut out the light of knowledge to his brother."
These are some strong words taken from a girl, who, at the time written, was only 17.
She got something that so many of us cannot seem to grasp today. She got that people in our own neighborhoods are just as lost as those across the oceans.
There is nothing wrong with going to the ends of the Earth to share the love of Christ, but Harriet, like so many others are lost. And searching. And waiting for someone to just show them Christ.
We cannot forget about ours here at home. We cannot be so eager to go overseas that we overlook those in our own backyards.
Take a lesson from our past. Harriet did not come to know Christ until she was in her late 20's and it was once her boss took her into church with her.
Why wait? Why not be an influence to those in our backyards right now? What are you waiting for?
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