Some people live such bold, audacious lives that their stories still echo through history, calling us to something greater. Harriet Tubman was one of those people. Born into slavery, she became one of the most daring conductors of the Underground Railroad, leading countless people to freedom. But her life was about more than just escape—it was about purpose, conviction, and an unshakable trust in God. (You can listen to the FDM podcast episode about Harriet HERE.)
Harriet Tubman’s life perfectly embodies our March MISSION Madness theme: living crazy amazing lives for Jesus. Harriet lived in complete obedience to her calling, despising the danger, unwilling to let fear keep her from the mission God had given her. Her story is a challenge to us all: Are we willing to trust God that radically? Are we living with boldness, purpose, and faith?
A Life Defined by Faith and Freedom
Harriet Tubman was born into bondage around 1822 in Dorchester County, Maryland. She endured brutal conditions, cruel treatment, and the constant threat of being sold away from her family. But even as a child, she demonstrated extraordinary courage.
At the age of 12, she suffered a near-fatal head injury when she was struck by an iron weight while trying to defend another enslaved person. That injury left her with lifelong headaches and sudden sleeping spells, but it also gave her something else—a profound sense of God’s voice guiding her. She often spoke of experiencing vivid dreams and visions, which she believed were messages from the Lord.
It was that faith that sustained her when, in 1849, she made her own daring escape to freedom. Traveling alone by night, with only the North Star as her guide, she reached Pennsylvania—a free state. Amazingly, Harriet had found her way from slavery to freedom.
Now, most people would have settled into their newfound freedom and counted themselves blessed. Harriet did the opposite. She risked her life over and over again to return to the South and rescue others. She once said,
“I had reasoned this out in my mind: there was one of two things I had a right to—liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other.”
There was no hesitation in her obedience. No second-guessing. No waiting for the right circumstances. Harriet walked in the kind of radical faith that didn’t just move mountains—it moved people to freedom.
Harriet Tubman’s MISSION Madness
Harriet didn’t just talk about freedom; she risked her life so others could have freedom, too. For over a decade, she made multiple trips back to the South. Based on her own accounts and extensive documentation of her rescue missions, it is believed that Harriet led more than 70 enslaved men, women, and children to freedom. By 1860, Tubman had earned the nickname “Moses” for liberating so many enslaved people at great risk to her own life. So many rescued slaves saw her as their deliverer. And just like the biblical Moses, she trusted God to make a way through impossible situations.
History says that Harriet never lost a single person on her journeys. She carried a small pistol—not just for protection, but to encourage those who wanted to turn back, telling them, “You’ll be free or die.” She knew that hesitation and fear could cost them everything. So determined was Harriet to lead people to freedom that she wasn’t going to let them quit.
When the Civil War eventually broke out, Harriet didn’t step away from the fight for freedom. Instead, she stepped further into it. She served as a Union spy, scout and nurse. She was part of a Union military raid on June 2, 1863 that freed over 700 enslaved people. Harriet’s life was mission-driven from beginning to end.
A Challenge to Live Boldly for Christ
Harriet Tubman’s story isn’t just a history lesson, though; it’s an invitation. She didn’t have wealth. She didn’t have formal education. She didn’t have status. But she had faith—faith in God, and that brings us to our theme verse that exemplifies Harriet’s life:
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1) Harriet lived this, and she wasn’t just fighting for physical freedom—she was fighting for the freedom God intends for all of us. Sin enslaves. Fear paralyzes. Comfort tempts us to stay where it’s safe. But Christ has set us free so we can live courageously, boldly, and on mission for Him.
Your March MISSION Madness Moment
Harriet Tubman’s life was marked by a deep, unwavering faith. She once said, “I always told God, ‘I’m going to hold steady on You, and You’ve got to see me through.'”
And He did. He saw her through impossible circumstances, countless dangers, and an extraordinary life that changed history.
So what about us?
We may not be called to physically rescue captives, but we are called to bring people into the freedom of Christ. Maybe it’s stepping out in faith to have a conversation about Jesus. Maybe it’s leaving behind a comfortable life to go where God is calling us. Maybe it’s standing firm in our convictions, even when the world pushes back.
This March MISSION Madness, let’s take a lesson from Harriet Tubman. Let’s live crazy amazing lives for Jesus. Let’s walk in faith, trust God completely, and fight for the freedom He has given us in Christ.
Because when we do, just like Harriet, we might find that our lives leave a legacy that echoes for generations to come.
Be encouraged! ❤️
Tosha
