Oh, FreedomНамуна

In 1753, at age seven, she was taken from West Africa, brought to Boston, and sold as a slave to John Wheatley for his wife, Susanna. They named the child Phillis. After receiving an education in the Bible, Latin, astronomy, history, and literature, Phillis began writing poetry and eventually became one of the most celebrated poets of this age and the first African American to publish a book. Though eventually set free from slavery, Phillis Wheatley used her poetry and letters to prominent individuals to cry out for “heavenly freedom”—a line from one of her letters—not only for her people but also freedom for the American colonies.

God wanted freedom for His people as well. In Exodus 3, He informed Moses, “I have surely seen the oppression of My people” (vs. 7 nkjv). The Israelites had been enslaved for around 400 years. Though Phillis could only cry out for freedom for her people, God could actually do something to free His. Though the road to freedom would be challenging, Moses’s people, like Phillis’s, would be free at last.

Phillis died in 1784 before seeing her people freed. Still, she had the joy of witnessing the colonies gain independence from England. She is an example of what the apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 5:13: “Use your freedom to serve one another in love.” -Linda Washington

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to those around me who need the freedom You provide.