The Music of a Little Blind Girl (Must Read)

The Music of a Little Blind Girl

 

Her parents loved her dearly; she was such a bright baby. They were sure that they would be very proud of her, she was such a darling. She wiggled her little toes and tiny fingers and said, "Goo, goo," like all good babies do. But as she began to grow older and to walk about, her eyes grew weak and tired until at last they could not see at all. Fanny Jane Crosby, for that was her name, In spite of being blind so young, Fanny Jane could never stand having people pity her. God helped her make up her mind that she would be a happy girl. When she was only eight years old she wrote, "To weep and sigh because I am blind I cannot, and I won't. Oh, what a happy soul am I Although I cannot see!" Fanny Jane decided that if she could not see with her eyes, she could perhaps see things through her mind. She trained her keen mind to commit to memory many beautiful words in the Bible. Then she learned to write poetry, even as a child.

 

She grew into a lovely young girl, and when she became a woman, everyone loved Fanny Jane Crosby, the famous blind writer of beautiful hymns. Perhaps you have sung her hymns in our Sunday church school, and I am sure your parents have often sung many of her sweet songs. She wrote hundreds, even thousands, of poems that have been set to lovely music. one of her best known hymns called, "Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!" You will remember the chorus: "This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Saviour all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Saviour all the day long."

 

Yes, Fanny Jane Crosby was a happy, happy soul, because she loved God, even though she was blind. she wrote over 8,000 hymns. To this day, the vast majority of American hymnals contain her work. She saw many reasons to be thankful and to be always singing praise to God. One of her songs beautifully vibrates with her praise to God. Let us sing it this morning.

 

Broken Coffee Mug

Broken Coffee Mug

 

One of my favorite coffee mug was broken this week. Not sure how it happened. Just found it sitting there on the counter with the handle broken off. A friend had given it to me because it has one of my favorite Bible verses on it. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God" (Philippians 3:14). As I stood there looking with disappointment at my handle-less cup I realized that now the mug actually illustrates the verse. Before it was a very nice coffee cup with a really meaningful verse on it, Now it may represent what Paul had in mind when he penned the words. "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected, but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brothers, I do not count myself to have apprehended. But one thing I do: Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14). Coffee mugs are made with a purpose. Mugs are made for drinking coffee, for drinking hot chocolate, for holding pens, for collecting change. They are not made to simply sit on a shelf and gather dust. When you use a mug there is the possibility that it will get damaged or broken. Like the coffee mug we were created with a purpose. We were created for life. We were not created to sit and watch life go by. We were created to embrace life. Paul said we were created to do "good works" (Ephesians 2:10). The abundant life does not happen without risks. Doing good works is not without dangers. Life is for living. When you live life, there are risks. When you live you may get hurt. When you live you may experience disappointments. When you live you may get damaged. When you live you may get broken. When that happened to Paul, he chose to press on. He did not allow his life to end with a broken handle. He kept pushing forward. He continued to move forward toward the prize God had called him to.

The Composer and the Performers

The Composer and the Performers

 

Let's say you have a friend who's a classical music fan - and he really likes the music of this composer named Beethoven. Now, you don't know much about this Beethoven guy, but you accept your friend's invitation to go to a concert where Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is going to be presented. The performers are the local junior high band. Now your friend has told you repeatedly that Beethoven was a genius and his music spectacular. But, after hearing the squeaking and squawking of 13-year-olds giving that symphony a go, you walk out saying, "Man, forget this Beethoven guy and his music!"

 

Of course the problem with that concert was not Beethoven - it was how that band performed what he wrote. Jesus has that same problem with those who try to "perform His music" - that is, try to live what He taught. Now, the Composer is still a genius - but don't judge Him by those who play His music imperfectly. It may be that you've been burned by religion ... hurt or disillusioned by religious people. Or even by religious leaders. But in spite of these flawed performances, Jesus is still the genius who has brought peace and meaning to millions of lives over the years.

 

If you've never experienced the love and the peace of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the hole in your heart could be filled by Him this very day. If you'll give yourself to this Man who gave Himself for you. Just tell Him - "Jesus, I'm Yours. I'm putting all my trust in You, and You alone, to forgive my sins, to get me to heaven, and to take down the wall between me and God." In a world where trust has been broken so many times, Jesus is the one safe place for your searching heart. He died for you. He will never do you wrong.