The Legacy of Fanny Crosby: A Life of Impact and Inspiration
At just six weeks old, Fanny Crosby was declared blind. Some medical professionals believe she may have been born blind. Yet, despite this hardship, God had a unique plan to use her in ways that continue to impact the Christian community today.
In addition to losing her eyesight, Fanny Crosby faced another tragedy early in life: at just six months old, her father passed away, and she was raised by her mother and maternal grandmother. Throughout her life, Crosby was blessed with extraordinary talents and was even recognized as a poet. Her story is long and fascinating, but one of her most notable contributions was a poetic eulogy for U.S. President William Henry Harrison, published in the New York Herald in 1841. She went on to publish verses in numerous other newspapers.
In 1864, Crosby began writing hymns, ultimately composing over 5,500 hymns throughout her lifetime. Some of her most beloved works include “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” “Rescue the Perishing,” “Blessed Assurance,” “The Bright Forever,” “Savior, More Than Life to Me,” and “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior.” One of her hymns, "Tell Me the Story of Jesus, Write It on My Heart Every Word," has been included in at least 232 hymnals, according to some sources.
Telling the Story of Jesus
The message of telling the story of Jesus is central to our faith as Christians, and it’s a message we should strive to share at every opportunity and in every place. As a preacher, I’ve been blessed with countless opportunities to preach in various countries, states, cities, towns, and rural areas. While my preaching may not be the most powerful or well-known, my goal has always been to share the story of Jesus with those who need to hear it.
Spiritual Spotlights: Sharing the Story of Jesus in Modern Times
At Spiritual Spotlights, we aim to continue telling the story of Jesus in modern ways. Our website, spiritualspotlights.com, now features a music selection that can be part of your devotional time. While we do not intend to replace the powerful word of the Holy Scriptures, we hope to offer additional resources that help you think about Jesus as you journey through life. We pray that the music we’ve shared will inspire and uplift you.
To this point, the expenses of maintaining our website, blog, and Facebook page have been self-funded. Our prayer has never been to profit from this ministry; instead, our goal is simply to assist you in your spiritual walk.
A Final Encouragement
As you go through your day, I encourage you to share the story of Jesus because it is a message that needs to be heard. Blessings to you, and remember the words of Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."