Sermon Illustrations
Blind Songwriter Visualized Christ's Glory
One of the most prolific songwriters in the history of Christianity has been Fanny Crosby, who wrote over 9,000 spiritual songs. Crosby was blinded in both eyes at six weeks of age through a medical error. However, she could still visualize the beauty of Christ's blessings, often with more clarity than those who had sight. As a result, it has been noted that in many of her hymns, this visually impaired lady quite amazingly spoke about sight, as seen in the following examples.
“Visions of rapture now burst on my sight” (Blessed Assurance)
“Watching and waiting, looking above” (Blessed Assurance)
“Near the cross I'll watch and wait, hoping, trusting ever” (In the Cross)
“But purer and higher and greater will be, our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.” (To God be the Glory)
Possible Preaching Angle: Even as we receive spiritual insight through the lyrics of a lady with no vision, may we too, get a new vision of the glories of Christ! "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith ..." (Hebrews 12:2)
Source: Christian History Magazine Staff, 131 Christians Everyone Should Know (Holman Reference, 2000), Pages 163-165