This Is My Story...

In 1820, a baby girl was born who would influence Christian hymnals across the world for many years to come.  With the exception of fellow Methodist Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby probably has more hymns included in more denominational hymnals than anyone else.  Because of her amazing talent for writing poetry and her willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit, the Church has been blessed for over 100 years by singing her songs of encouragement, surrender, and glorification of God.

Fanny Crosby

One of her most well-known and beloved hymns was written in 1873.  One day a friend of hers, Phoebe Knapp, met with Crosby and played for her a tune that she had written.  Here is what Crosby said about that meeting, "My friend, Mrs. Joseph F. Knapp, composed a melody and played it over to me two or three times on the piano.  She then asked what it said.  I replied, 'Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!"  Thus was born a song handed down through the ages to help convince children of God that they are indeed loved and cherished by their heavenly Father.

The refrain of the song has always intrigued me.  It states, "This is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long; this is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long."  When I was younger I wondered at the meaning of those words.  What exactly was my story?  What was my song?  What did Crosby mean by these words that she had written?

It wasn't until many years later that I began to understand what these lyrics were getting across.  You see, this song is a song of victory that people who have surrendered to Christ can sing with great enthusiasm.  It's a song that speaks volumes about what God has done and is doing in the lives of those who are kingdom seekers.  When I look back at my own past, I recognize that not everything I have done has lined up with God's desire for me.  Not everything I have said has been beneficial.  Not everything I have thought has been pure.

I have been selfish.  I have been rude.  I have been filled with hatred.  I have lusted.  That is a part of my story.  And as much as I hate that old self...that person I used to be, there's nothing I can do to change it.  In fact, God doesn't even go back and change it.  But he has and continues to change me.  Something even more amazing than that is that he takes that old stuff and turns it into something good.  In Romans 8:28, St. Paul says "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.  And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified."

Paul reminds us in this passage that God's ultimate plan is to allow people the opportunity to grow into the image of Christ.  Because of God's grace, he has taken my story and redeemed it.  He has taken all of the evil that I have done and has worked it for good.  Who gives a better testimony, the Pharisee thanking God that he's not a sinner or the sinner asking God's forgiveness?

It is with much thanksgiving and enthusiasm that I sing Crosby's song.  You see, my story is mine alone.  Yet it resonates with everyone who has become a part of the large family.  Your story is your own and yet when I hear it, I can know where you have come from because we are both sinners redeemed by the blood of Christ.  We are siblings that get to rejoice that God has taken all of our past and redeemed it for good.  We have a testimony to give.  The ones who are the most affected by it are those who knew us before and after.

So keep telling your story.  Keep singing your song.  Continue to practice perfect submission.  Allow God to redeem your past for his glory and to work it into good.  Until next time...





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