William Wilberforce

In his early years as a young man, William Wilberforce spent his time carousing, staying up late at all-night parties, and living a directionless social life until after he became a Member of Parliament. In his twenties, however, around 1785, Wilberforce experienced what he called “the great change,” or his supernatural conversion to Christianity and surrender to the will of God. He became a new man. For the rest of his life, Wilberforce spent his time championing Christian causes, leaving his most-remembered impact through his fight in Parliament for the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire. Only after decades of spearheading the struggle did he receive assurance of the slaves’ emancipation soon before his death in 1833. The pages of history will forever remember William Wilberforce as a hero, and I admire him for his perseverance, his desire to glorify God through his position and skills, and his strong spiritual life.

(Belmonte, Kevin. William Wilberforce: A Hero for Humanity. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007, 37.)

Wilberforce said in 1787, “God Almighty has placed before me two great Objects, the Suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners” (Piper, 35). Not only did he recognize his mission, but also possessed the determination to fulfill it. For nearly two decades, he faced defeat after defeat before finally achieving the abolition of the slave trade throughout British holdings, and then he kept going for about another twenty-five years to reach the end of slavery itself in the empire of Great Britain. Also, Wilberforce used his gifts, such as his eloquence, and his position as a Member of Parliament to honor God. After considering leaving the British legislature for the ministry upon his conversion, he felt God called him to stay there in order to benefit Christian causes and bring glory to the Lord. Besides these traits, he had incredible integrity in his spiritual life. William Wilberforce practiced what he proclaimed in public in ways such as keeping a prayer list of unsaved friends and journaling about his progress in overcoming personal faults.

William Wilberforce is my hero because he inspires me to follow his example by making a difference in history. His sense of God’s purpose for his life and his determination to follow that mission encourages me to seek God about what He has called me to do, and then to never give up, despite what trials I face. Additionally, Wilberforce’s desire to bring glory to God reminds me that I must not wait until a “better” time, but serve the Lord fully where He has placed me now and with the gifts He has given me. Lastly, I admire Wilberforce because his personal relationship with Christ held a place in his life just as important as what he did where everyone could see his good deeds. His example teaches me to prioritize my spiritual life, because nothing else I do will succeed without God’s help and blessing. Generations to come will never forget William Wilberforce’s heroism because of his determination, his service to God, and his relationship with the Lord.