Listen to His voice calling out to you...

be a winner

Sunday, 30 September 2007

a statement that impacted me as i listened to today's sermon in church: no matter the result, as long as we follow God's instructions, we are not failures, we are winners.

this was exemplified by the life of Fanny Crosby, blind since 6 months old, but later became one of the most prolific hymnists in history. she was not bitter about her condition, as she wrote the following poem at 9 years of age:

Oh what a happy soul I am,

Although I cannot see;

I am resolved that in this world

Contented I will be.

How many blessings I enjoy,

That other people don't;

To weep and sigh because I'm blind,

I cannot, and I won't.

she later remarked, "It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."

by the time Crosby passed away in 1915 at the age of 95, she had written more than 8000 hymns, and to this day, the vast majority of American hymnals contain her work. Some of her more well-known hymns include "Blessed Assurance", "To God Be the Glory", and "Safe in the Arms of Jesus".

the conclusion is that Fanny Crosby did not consider herself a loser, or choose to wallow in self-pity, but even in her condition she chose to praise God and lived a winner's life for Him. it's a great reminder for me to serve Him whatever the situations i'm going through now, for by choosing to do that, i'm already a winner! thank you God! =p

giving thanks at 22:34 :)