Just as I am, Lord, I come
With Bible in hand, and coffee cup close by, I clicked on a youtube playlist of worship songs to begin my morning. I couldn’t wait to come before the throne of grace. Powerful melodies soared, thought-provoking lyrics rang true in my heart. I lifted my hands in praise and focused on Jesus.
Then it happened.
Out of the blue.
Tears began to stream at the oddest moment. The old, familiar hymn, Just As I Am, began to play — you know, the one used for altar calls across our land, the one we associate with calling someone to salvation.
But this time it was different. It was just for me.
The Lord was calling me to come … to Him … just as I am.
In my weakness — come to Him and He will make me strong.
In my sorrow — come to Him and He will give me joy and laughter once again.
In my extraordinary fatigue — come to Him and He will give me energy and stamina to complete the work of my hands and heart.
For you see, “Just as I am without one plea,” His blood was shed for me. And “though tossed about with many a conflict and many a doubt, Fighting fears within without,” He bid me to come. The precious Lamb of God called me to come.
And I did.
I curled beneath the shadow of His wing and rested in His Presence.
Because “just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, All I need, in [Him] I find.”
Yes, even today, all that I need I find in Him.
God is no respecter of persons. What He has done for me, He will do for you.
“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.”
Because Thy promise I believe. O Lamb of God, I come.
I come.
Selah.
*Just as I Am, Charlotte Elliott, 1835
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Would you pray for me?
I will be speaking three times this weekend at a prayer retreat in Rutherfordton, NC. I’m so honored and thankful for this opportunity. My fibromyalgia is going bananas, but the Lord promises that when we are weak, He will be strong. I’m standing on that promise this weekend. PLUS, He bid me to come this morning and drink from His well — rest in His Presence … just as I am.
I cherish your prayers.
Thank you for faithfully ministering to my heart.
The feelings are mutual Marcie girl 🙂
prayers for you, Nan. I understand about the fibro pain, may God bless your efforts this weekend for His glory!
Oh! Thank you Mandy. It’s a booger, isn’t it? But greater is He that is in us 🙂
Hi Nan!
I’d like to share a very personal story. We experienced an unexpected family tragedy this week, so your words ring true to my heart. In the depth of my shock, as I was seeking in prayer some peace to share with my grieving family members, songs of praise arose from my heart, and I had a supernatural conviction that God would bring great good out of this death. I felt so uncanningly filled with God’s presence that I began to wonder if something was wrong with me that I felt little natural sadness at my cousin’s passing (at least, not consciously). But at the same time, I felt that I was being strengthened in faith and hope so I could comfort the others. And indeed God opened doors for us to share His Word with them. It was a terrible situation, but at the same time, from an eternal perspective, I found all of them much more willing to listen than ever before. May God be glorified and bring them all at His feet.
May God help us to understand that yes, we can come at any time, and coming to Him for refreshment then prepares us to be a vessel of blessing for others.
What a beautiful testimony of God’s grace. Thank you for sharing. I’m sorry for your loss, but so thankful the Lord is strengthening you and giving you opportunity to share His goodness with your family.