Amazing Grace

Yesterday morning my pastor told the story of a song writer who had at one time been a slave trader, but following a dramatic conversion became a minister. Before he had finished telling the story I knew he was talking about John Newton, author of Amazing Grace. Then my pastor shared something I hadn't heard before: the word's on Newton's tombstone. They are as follows:

"Clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy."

I don't know about you, but if I had written Amazing Grace, I would have made sure my tombstone read:

"Lindsey B. McKinley. Writer of the greatest hymn of all time. You're welcome."

I was confused about the phrase, "a servant of slaves in Africa". I assumed it was some turn of phrase we don't use today, so I started an investigation into Newton's life and this is what I found:

1. When Newton was in the Royal Navy he tried to desert and was flogged 96 times in front of his shipmates. He was so ashamed by this incident that he contemplated either killing the captain or himself out of shame.

2. Once he left the navy he became a successful slave trader.

3. Onboard one of his ships, his shipmates became so disgruntled with him that they abandoned him in Africa where he became a slave himself before he was rescued by a sea captain.

4. Newton cried out to the God he had renounced while in the midst of a severe storm.

5. He continued to trade slaves after his conversion. In later years he renounced slavery and fought as an abolitionist. He also made it clear that he was not living as a Christian for many years after that fateful night during the storm.

His epitaph reveals a fact that we too often forget-the work we leave behind is of little consequence compared to the work He does in us. Newton was a low-down rotten sinner, but God was merciful to him. God kept him alive through treacherous seas (dangers), slavery (toils), and betrayal by his mates (snares). God was gracious to him even when he continued to do wrong. The Spirit continued to woo Newton and change his heart, until the point that he fought the sinful acts he had once been a part of.

Do we live our lives in the same spirit as Newton's epitaph? Do we live our lives as men and women who owe all we have to a God who never gave up on us? Do we live out our testimonies in a way to show those around us that we have been transformed by our Lord and Savior?

Lord, help us live everyday as a testimony to Your amazing grace!