This weekend, people all across the country enjoy some time off from their usual work or other responsibilities, and spend some time taking part in traditional Fourth of July activities. A few folks may even stop to reflect on the history and significance of Independence Day.
Another important milestone in our country’s history has been in the news recently. You may have noticed that there have been a number of newspaper articles and TV stories highlighting the fact that this summer of 2014 is the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act.
I recently watched a TV program about a man by the name of William Still, a free black man who lived in Pittsburgh, and was deeply involved with organizations working to abolish slavery, and an active participant in the Underground Railroad. He began assisting runaway slaves to reach safety in free states in the 1840’s, when he was no more than a boy, and continued to do so until the end of the Civil War. Those who aided the runaways could face serious penalties, but they were acting in accordance with their Christian beliefs, including the principle that no human should have ownership of another. Mr. Still kept records of those he had helped along the way, and after the war, did all he could to reunite families who had been torn apart by war and the practices of slavery.
A number of people knowledgeable about the institution of slavery, and the cultural and economic foundation of it, contributed to the narrative of the story. They made it clear how very dangerous it was for a slave to run away, but the hunger for freedom was so compelling, so powerful, that it was worth the risk. It’s challenging to put oneself in those circumstances of such desperation. Obviously, those of us with so many freedoms and privileges carry many responsibilities as well. Think about it — what would you do, and where and how far would you go to be free? And how grateful would you be to strangers who gave you food, shelter, and transportation along the way?
As Christians, we are given true freedom through the gift of Jesus’ teachings and his sacrifice for our salvation. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” covers a lot of situations, from the neighborhood to around the globe. We have been given the tools to figure it out.
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers