Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee
O Lamb of God, I come! I come
Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot
O Lamb of God, I come, I come
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt
Fighting and fears within without
O Lamb of God, I come, I come
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve
Because Thy promise I believe
O Lamb of God, I come, I come
We’ve spanned history from 1050 to 1779 so far in our hymn studies. Now, we move into the 1800s with a beloved hymn titled, Just As I Am.
Written in 1835 by a British woman named Charlotte Elliott, this hymn’s cyclical lyrics in each stanza reflect a very personal part of her story.
As a young adult, in her 30s, Elliott began to suffer from the effects of a disease that left her body disabled. Even though her body was weak, she is said to have possessed a strong, intellectual mind—well cultured and full of creativity. But understandably, Elliott’s disease and physical ailments caused her to wrestle with feelings of worthlessness more often than not.
Unfortunately, these feelings led to regular bitterness and anger. As I read about her story, I stopped and thought of my own life. I am currently in my early 30s. What would I do if I experienced what Charlotte experienced? How easy would it be to let bitterness take root?
The beautiful turning point in this story comes from the wisdom and care of a minister who visited Elliott in the midst of her frustration and diseased condition. He pointed to some difficult truth Elliott needed to hear—that she was clinging to the wrong things. Experiencing the emptiness this world has to offer, he said she clung to her anger instead of to Jesus, the One who could actually offer her freedom and joy.
This minister’s message was rooted in the truth that Charlotte could give her life to Jesus, she could come to Him just the way she was, and He would offer her true life in abundance. No longer did she need to wrestle with doubts of her worth. No longer did she need to cling to the bitterness that only spiraled her into deeper pain and discouragement. She understood the Gospel in this moment.
And her words in this hymn have echoed in unified melodies and harmonies for over 187 years now (not to mention the 149 other hymns she penned). I find it so beautiful and encouraging that God would use a life that the world might label “worthless” or “weak” and He would flip that narrative around in a way that, first and foremost, brings Him glory, while turning countless lives to Him through these lyrics.
Is this not just the most beautiful message for us today? Maybe you resonate with a physical ailment that stirs up similar untruths about your worth. Maybe you can relate on an emotional level as you doubt your identity in Christ and wrestle with lies from the enemy. As we learn from Charlotte’s story and her beautiful song, each of us can turn to Jesus—just as we are—and He’s ready to welcome us.
Be encouraged by this truth today, friends.
Emily Heaton
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