Worship Music Mini: Just As I Am

Hi, friends. Welcome to another Worship Music Mini!

“Just As I Am”

An English lady named Charlotte Elliot wrote this hymn in 1836. She succeeded financially and socially in her early life as an artist and writer of comedic tunes, but she contracted an unknown illness at age 32 and became an invalid. Thank God that handicap acceptance and accessibility in the modern age allows me to flourish, but I relate with her because I would’ve been forced to stay inside if I were born at that time.

A local reverend visited and inquired about her relationship with Jesus–a question she resented and wouldn’t answer. But a few days later, she apologized and said she wanted to cleanse herself before becoming a Christian (her pre-illness social circles weren’t religious). The reverend said “Come as you are,” and she accepted the Lord that day. Though she was raised in a Christian home, that was the day she started believing.

Her condition progressively worsened, as does mine, but somehow, her faith grew stronger–as does mine. God’s grace is sufficient for anyone in any circumstance; just come as you are.

Lyrics:

Just as I am – without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst 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 toss’d about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
-O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am – poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
-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!

Just as I am – Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
-O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am – of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above,
-O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

The first video is longer because they talk about using this song as an alter call. During a Billy Graham tour in England, journalists wrote that the converts were being swept up in the song’s emotion. Graham knew it wasn’t just the song–the Holy Spirit was working–so he started having the alter calls in complete silence. I cried like a baby both while watching this and while describing it to my mom, haha.

The second video is one of many Alan Jackson hymn covers, which I also love.

Thanks for reading! God bless you!

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