Oh that I could have the cross painted on my eyeballs, that I could not see anything except through the medium of my Savior’s passion!
Interpretation
The quote expresses a desire to view the world solely through the lens of faith and the suffering of Christ.
In this quote, Charles Spurgeon conveys a profound longing to immerse himself entirely in the teachings and sacrifices of Jesus Christ. By desiring to have the 'cross painted on his eyeballs,' he wishes to see everything in life filtered through the lens of Christ's passion, suggesting that the understanding of worldly experiences should be deeply rooted in spirituality and faith. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of aligning one's perception with divine love and sacrifice, elevating the impact of faith in everyday life.
In practice
During a sermon about the importance of viewing life through faith, I shared this quote to emphasize the message.
Amusement should be used to do us good “like a medicine”: it must never be used as the food of the man...Many have had all holy thoughts and gracious resolutions stamped out by perpetual trifling. Pleasure so called is the murderer of thought. This is the age of excessive amusement: everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle.
When you see no present advantage, walk by faith and not by sight. Do God the honor to trust Him when it comes to matters of loss for the sake of principle.
It is far easier to fight with sin in public than to pray against it in private.
You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself.
After faith comes repentance, or, rather, repentance is faith's twin brother and is born at the same time.
["All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant."] The original Hebrew word that has been translated "paths" means "well-worn roads' or "wheel tracks," such ruts as wagons make when they go down our green roads in wet weather and sink in up to the axles. God's ways are at times like heavy wagon tracks that cut deep into our souls, yet all of them are merciful.
I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord's side.
The last few hours were certainly very painful," replied Anne: "but when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure. One does not love a place the less for having suffered in it, unless it has been all suffering, nothing but suffering-
Without the Constitution and the Union, we could not have attained the result; but even these, are not the primary cause of our great prosperity. There is something back of these, entwining itself more closely about the human heart. That something, is the principle of "Liberty to all" the principle that clears the path for all-gives hope to all-and, by consequence, enterprize [sic], and industry to all.
In argument similes are like songs in love; they describe much, but prove nothing.
The whole of the 20th century has always put the car at the center. So by putting the pedestrian first, you create these livable places, I think, with more attraction and interest and character.
I even agree that the concept of god helps some people lead better lives. That does happen. Don't ever forget it. I just think there are better ways to help people lead better lives.
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