Hymns
"Just As I Am"
words: Charlotte Elliott
music: William B. Bradbury
Background music: Joyful Noise Music
"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 anythingexcept 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!'"
Taken from Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions © 2002 by Kenneth W. Osbeck. Published by Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI.
Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.
