Born Into Bondage
Harriet Tubman, born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland, in the early 1820s, faced unimaginable hardships from a young age. Known then as Araminta "Minty" Ross, she endured beatings and whippings, and at around age 13, a traumatic head injury from an overseer's weight left her with lifelong health issues and episodes of vivid dreams and visions. Tubman believed these were messages from God. In her words, "I said to the Lord, 'I'm going to hold steady on to you, and I know you will see me through.'" This unwavering faith became her guiding light.
Crossing Into Freedom
In 1849, fearing she would be sold, Harriet made the brave decision to escape. She fled to Philadelphia, following the North Star, and crossed into freedom. "When I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person," she recalled. "There was such a glory over everything... I felt like I was in Heaven." But freedom alone was not enough for Harriet. She felt a divine calling to return and rescue others.
The Moses of Her People
From 1850 to 1860, Harriet made approximately 13 daring trips back to Maryland, risking her life to lead around 70 enslaved people to freedom. She earned the nickname "Moses" for her leadership. Her guidance was rooted in prayer and trust in God. "It wasn't me; it was the Lord!" she would later say. "I trust to you. I do not know where to go or what to do, but I expect You to lead me." And God did, time and again.
A Legacy of Faith and Courage
During the Civil War, Harriet served as a nurse, scout, and spy for the Union Army. A notable moment was the Combahee River Raid in 1863, where she helped liberate over 700 enslaved people. Her courage and faith were unwavering, exemplified in her words, "I prayed to God to make me strong and able to fight, and that's what I've always prayed for ever since." Harriet Tubman's life was a testament to her deep faith and reliance on God's guidance. Her legacy as a fearless conductor on the Underground Railroad and her service during the Civil War demonstrate the power of faith to transform not just one life, but many. Harriet's story reminds us that with God, what seems impossible can become possible.
