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JUST AS I AM,
WITHOUT ONE PLEA
Just as I am,
without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou
bidd’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,
fightings 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,
Just as I am; thy
love unknown has broken ev’ry barrier down;
now to be thine,
yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Text: Charlotte
Elliott, 1789-1871
Whenever I hear
this hymn, I envision my father standing at the bathroom sink
while shaving on Sunday mornings. Unlike the other days of the
week, his Sunday shave was accompanied by hymn singing. My dad
always arose early to complete his daily shave — necessary in a
house with four daughters and one bathroom — but on Sundays, his
shaving was loud and joyous. It became our Sunday alarm clock.
This hymn fits my
dad so perfectly. He is the most humble man I know. As the only
male in a family of six, he was happy to let the females rule the
roost. The lessons my dad taught me about life are so important to
me. Give unconditional love to your children. Be kind to others.
Judge not, that you be not judged. Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you. This is how my dad has always lived his
life, and I am so proud of him. Today, at 90, he still lives a
quiet, humble life, ever thankful, kind and loving.
So, just as my
dad used this hymn as a Sunday morning alarm clock, we can use it
as a wake-up call for our lives. Just as we seek to be accepted
“just as we are,” we can strive to be more accepting of others, to
follow Jesus’ example of loving kindness to all we meet.
After all, isn’t love and mercy the message of
Christianity?
Dear Father, in a
world that is often full of conflict and strife, help us to be
true to ourselves and to be more accepting of others, moving us
closer to a world of peace. “This is my commandment, that you love
one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
Maureen
Hofrenning
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