Harriet Tubman: Faithful Christian and Abolitionist
Harriet Tubman is one of the most well-known abolitionists in American history. She was born into slavery but escaped and then dedicated her life to helping others do the same. What many people don't know about Harriet Tubman, however, is that she was a devout Christian who believed that faith was an important part of fighting against slavery.
In this devotional, we will discuss Harriet Tubman's faith as a Christian and how it motivated her to fight for abolition.
Harriet's Introduction to Christianity
Harriet Tubman was born in 1822 with the name Araminta Ross. Her parents were slaves on a plantation in Maryland, and she took her last name from her first owner John Tubman after he died when she was about seven years old. She grew up in the Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC), which had been founded by abolitionists in the early 1800s. The MEC was one of the first churches to preach against slavery, and Harriet's parents were likely active members.
In 1844, when Harriet was about 22 years old, she experienced a religious conversion that changed her life forever. She had been working in the fields on the plantation when she suddenly felt the presence of God. She later recalled that she had a vision in which God told her to " 'Come out from among them and be separate, saith the Lord. Touch not the unclean thing; I will receive you, and be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters.' " This experience led Harriet to renounce her slave status and dedicate her life to God's work.
From that point on, Harriet Tubman was a devoted Christian who believed that faith was an important part of fighting against slavery. She often quoted from the Bible and used it as a source of strength and inspiration in her work.
The Motivation of Faith
Harriet Tubman was not only a Christian, but she was also an incredibly brave and determined person. She was willing to risk her life to help others escape slavery, and she never gave up no matter how difficult the situation became.
What motivated Harriet Tubman throughout her work as an abolitionist was her faith in God. She believed that it was God's will that slavery be abolished, and she was determined to do whatever it took to see that happen. She knew that the work was difficult and often dangerous, but she never lost faith in God's ability to guide her and protect her.
“I said to the Lord, I’m going to hold steady on to you, and I know you will see me through”
God is Calling for More Harriet's Today
Just as God called Harriet Tubman to abolitionism in the 1800s, He is calling for more people like her today. We need Christians who are willing to stand up against injustice and fight for what is right. We need people who are courageous enough to do whatever it takes to make a difference in the world.
If you feel called to do something, don't hesitate to answer the call. God is with you, and He will guide you and protect you on your journey.