~* JUST AS I AM *~ Charlotte Elliot, 1789-1871 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:35 & 37 Often we feel that if only we were in different circumstances or had some special talent, we could be a better witness for God and serve Him more effectively. Today's hymn was written by a bed-ridden invalid who felt useless to do anything except express her feelings of devotion to God. Yet Charlotte Elliott's simply worded text has influenced more people for Christ than any hymn ever written or perhaps any sermon ever preached. As a young person in Brighton, England, Miss Elliot was known as "carefree Charlotte". She was a popular portrait artist and a writer of humorous verse. At the age of 30, however, a serious ailment made her an invalid for life. She became listless and depressed until a well-known Swiss evangelist, Dr. Caesar Malan, visited her. Sensing her spiritual distress, he exclaimed, "Charlotte, you must come just as you are--a sinner--to the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!" Immediately placing her complete trust in Christ's redemptive sacrifice for her, Charlotte experienced inner peace and joy in spite of her physical affliction at her death at the age of 82. Charlotte Elliot wrote approximately 150 hymns throughout her lifetime; today she is considered to be one of the finest of all English hymnwriters. "God sees, God guards, God guides me," she said. "His grace surrounds me and His voice continuatlly bids me to be happy and holy in His service--just where I am!" 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 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, 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 Hath broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. *For Today*: Psalm 51:1 & 2; John 1:29, 3:16; Ephesians 2:13 Give God thanks for His acceptance of us just as we are. As we respond in simple faith to Him, we will find "all that we need", not only for our personal salvation but also for the particular place of service that He has for us. Music url: The Cyber Hymnal Taken from Amazing Grace -- 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions © Copyright 1990 by Kenneth W. Osbeck. Published by Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Return to Hymn Devotionals Index