Leave All Your Burdens At The Door – Edem Soul Music
Just As I Am
Charlotte Elliot was an English poet who lived from 1789 to 1871. At an early age, she had had become a successful writer, gaining fame as a humorist poet. At the age of 32, she suffered from a serious illness that left her disabled for the rest of her life. This caused her to struggle with depression, anxiety, rage, and inner conflict for much of her life, but ultimately out of that turmoil came inner strength. A spiritual mentor once counseled her to “Come to Jesus just as you are,” which was the inspiration for this text, which was written during a time of particular darkness in her life. Her legacy as a hymnist and writer was borne out of a certain meekness caused by her struggle with her conditions in life, compared to her legacy as a humorist, but at the end of the day, as she overcame her predispositions, has been her lasting influence on the world.
Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bid’st me come to thee, 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, hast broken ev’ry barrier down;
now, to be thine, yea, thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!