Imagine yourself sitting in a cozy church pew, the warm sunlight filtering through the stained-glass windows, casting a gentle glow over the congregation. The air is filled with the familiar melody, each note resonating in your heart, like an old friend's embrace. As the hymn swells, you can almost feel the weight of your burdens lifting, replaced by a sense of peace and anticipation for the day when we'll all gather in the presence of our Savior.
This hymn, like so many others, was penned by a remarkable individual who weathered life's storms with unwavering faith. Charlotte Elliott, the writer of the beloved "Just As I Am," faced her own battles with illness and depression, yet she found solace in the unwavering love of Christ. As I delve into her story, I can't help but feel a deep kinship with the challenges she must have endured.
Imagine Charlotte, sitting by the window, her pen dancing across the page as she pours out her heart, finding the words to express the longing for a deeper connection with her Savior. The hymn she wrote, "Just As I Am," has become a timeless anthem of grace, resonating with countless souls who have found themselves in need of that same unconditional love.
And now, as we explore the story behind “Just As I Am," I invite you to let the imagery and emotion of the lyrics wash over you. Picture the day when we'll all gather in the presence of our Lord, our voices joining in a heavenly chorus, our burdens lifted, and our hearts overflowing with joy. It's a vision that can bring us comfort in the midst of life's storms and inspire us to press on, knowing that our ultimate destination is a place of eternal peace and fellowship with our Savior.
Imagine stepping into the cozy parlor of Charlotte Elliott's childhood home in Clapham, the air thick with the scent of freshly brewed tea and the soft melody of a piano drifting through the rooms. Charlotte, a young woman of remarkable talent and poise, sits by the window, her delicate fingers gracefully sketching the faces of her family and friends. Her laughter, warm and infectious, fills the space as she shares her witty verses, captivating all who gather around her.
But beneath the surface of this vibrant social life, Charlotte's heart yearned for something more. In 1821, a severe illness struck, and she found herself confined to her bed, wrestling with doubts about her relationship with Christ. It was during this time of personal struggle that Charlotte's pen found new purpose, as she poured out her heart in the now-beloved hymn, "Just As I Am."
Imagine Charlotte, propped up on her pillows, her brow furrowed in concentration as she searches for the words to convey her longing for the Savior's unconditional love. The words flow from her, a gentle stream of reassurance and grace, resonating with the countless souls who would find solace in her timeless lyrics.
Imagine the relief that must have washed over Charlotte in that moment, as she poured out her soul onto the page. The hymn, now a timeless treasure, was born from her own personal struggle, a testament to the transformative power of faith.
Years later, as Charlotte's hymns found their way into hymnals around the world, she would become known as a woman of unwavering faith, her life a shining example of the grace and redemption that can only be found in Christ. Even in the face of chronic illness and depression, her pen continued to flow, her words a balm for weary souls.
Today, as we reflect on Charlotte's remarkable journey, may we be inspired by her courage and her willingness to be vulnerable. For in her moments of deepest doubt, she found the strength to cling to the promises of her Savior, and in doing so, she left a legacy that continues to echo through the ages, reminding us all that we are loved, just as we are.
I paired this special hymn with my song, "I Revel in the Love," from the album “Here In Your Presence” because the hymn makes me feel profoundly cherished by the Lord. I remember the exact day this song came to me: September 26, 2009.
One day, I asked my pastor what his upcoming sermon would be about when I was set to lead worship. His answer? God's love. Instantly, my mind filled with thoughts of how much joy God finds in MY presence. God revels in His love for me! To revel means to take immense delight in something, and that’s exactly what I felt while meditating on His love, giving birth to this song.
How can we truly love others if we don't first believe in God's love for us? Think about everything He did to reach you! If we really believed in God's love, why would we seek our worth in anything else? We wouldn’t need to turn to drugs, alcohol, sex, money, fame, or anything else for solace. His love has the power to overcome sin and failure, to set us free from the chains that seem to hold us in a death grip. His love is utterly beyond amazing.
He loves me right where I am - Just As I Am - but loves me enough not to leave me there. His love transforms lives and brings victory. God doesn't just love me; He likes me and enjoys being with me!
How do I know this? By simply relating to my own children as their father. When I'm with my kids, I don't even need to say a word. I love listening to them talk to each other. I love just being with them. If I, as an earthly father, can feel and mean that, imagine how much more our heavenly Father feels that way about us!
Dennis Jernigan
"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39 NASB)
To hear The Dennis Jernigan Podcast version of this blog and to hear the songs, go to http://podcast.dennisjernigan.com/e/just-as-i-am-i-revel-in-the-love/
Photo courtesy of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Elliott