How much do you know about the history of Negro spirituals? I recently started to think about the stories behind the many moving spirituals. These spirituals encouraged people to persevere during slavery despite consistent and fierce persecution.
One of my favorite spirituals is “Steal Away” (by https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_Willis). We are encouraged “to steal away to Jesus” because we “haven’t long to stay here”. This verse encourages us to draw closer to Jesus as time is short.
The song is quite moving and thought-provoking. To the slaves, “Steal Away” also meant to escape from slavery by traveling the Underground Railroad. Their lives were filled with unimaginable pain, grief, and loss, and stealing away to Jesus and running away from bondage appears to have given them the impetus to persevere. I can only imagine the persecution that they faced daily.
As I write this post, I am mindful of the significant issues that we face today. These issues can provoke some to want to escape, to steal away. My encouragement to you is to steal away to Jesus by praying. Pray daily and during these times of prayer, steal away to Jesus. Blessings.
