Amazing Grace

As "Amazing Grace" is easily my favorite hymn, and probably my favorite song of all time as well, I was very interested when this movie came out last year. Despite my excitement, I never got around to seeing the movie in the theatre, and I ended up just waiting for it to come around on our Netflix queue.

Well, the movie eventually showed up in our mailbox, so I've finally gotten to watch it for myself. It's rare that a movie surpasses my expectations, but this one did so easily. I found it beautiful, powerful, and enthralling, and I'm so glad I didn't let it slip by! The story of William Wilberforce's haunted obsession to end the slave trade would be compelling even if it weren't true; the fact that it's based on real events only adds to the sense of inspiration.

I love that this film reminds us that what one chooses to devote themselves to in life truly matters. That young people truly can change the world (Wilberforce was only 21 when he was first elected). That despite years of opposition, once can eventually overcome and find success. And most especially, that with enough blood, sweat, tears, and prayer, good can and will overcome evil.

Though there are more people in slavery today than during Wilberforce's time, much good has already come out of the release of this movie. If you're interested, check out the "The Amazing Change" campaign and this book by modern-day abolitionist Zach Hunter, encouraging people everywhere to 'be the change they want to see in this world'.

All in all, I found this movie to be cinematically worthy and personally inspiring. I've got two thumbs, and they're both up.

Vote to end child slavery

Help Us Get Zach's Voice Heard

YS author and teen abolitionist Zach Hunter, has been featured on CNN for the work he's doing to end slavery. Now he has the opportunity to appear on a prime-time special where he'll have the chance to tell millions about modern day slavery. He needs your votes to be featured as the CNN Hero in the category of young people making a difference. There is a cash prize involved which Zach would like to use toward the aftercare and education of rescued child slaves.

Vote at www.cnn.com/heroes as many times as you'd like and please share this link with others.

Voting ends Monday, November 12th at noon.

If you're not familiar with Zach Hunter, he is the fifteen year old author of "Be the Change", a book about how students can work together to end child slavery around the world.