Freedom and Pains

Freedom and Pains

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1

William Peyton Hubbard was born to parents who escaped slavery and the plantation where they were forced to labour in Virginia. Through the Underground Railroad, they reached Canada in the 1840’s. While many people were expecting the Second Coming of Jesus and would later become Adventists, they were fully focused at simply staying alive and finding a place to be free. Everyone has a unique story and just because they might not follow your path, doesn’t mean that God isn’t still with them. God want’s that we all should be free. He wants that we have life and have it to the utmost.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

Let’s not judge one another for the goals we have made. Were we in their shoes, we would probably make the same decisions many times. This life is hard for all but harder for some. Fact is, if you look, you will always find someone worse off than yourself. But don’t let those differences, whether more or less, lead to judgement or condemnation. Let it lead to a response of love and help.

Jesus didn’t differentiate between those who were more in need or less. He helped everyone at all levels of need. He loved all, with all their personal pains.

When you decide to judge another person’s suffering I would ask you to remember the glaciers. What you see above the water is only a fragment of what is underneath. What you see in people is only what they are allowing you to see. Most keep their true pains inside.

William Peyton Hubbard was born in a little cabin in the outskirts of Toronto. It was all his parents could provide. He grew up and became a baker. From there he joined his uncle’s horse-drawn livery taxi service. By acts of God, Hubbard later became the driver for Mr. George Brown and through a growing friendship challenged Hubbard to seek public office.

In 1894 he was elected, one of the first men of African descent to gain a political office in Canada. He was re-elected 15 times in his career.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

God bless,

Pr. Steven Couto