Saturday, October 28, 2006

Just as I am



I was thinking about how some of us are pretty good at recognizing that God accepts us just as we are. We apologize to God for falling short at times, and take his patience for granted as we work to become the disciples that he calls us to, (even though if at times we seem to take one step forward and two steps back). But we sometimes have a hard time extending this mindset to others around us.


Maybe we could amend the popular hymn Just As I Am, with a stanza entitled Just As You Are.

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 You are, I accept you,
That God, the same does for you too,
And when though bidst me come to thee,
I hope with God, I'll come, I'll come.

Super cheesy, I know, but I think about the 100s of thousands of people who came forward to this hymn during altar calls all around America, and can't help but hope that if they had heard the plea to love others as Jesus loved us, accepting them as they are, that maybe our churches would look different.

Just a thought...and a redundant one at that.


2 comments:

mandrews said...

I totally agree with you Ryan. And I don't think it matters how redundant it is, it needs to be said until it actually happens. I know I struggle with remembering that since God loves me Just as I am, he also loves others Just as they are as well and that I have to love them just as they are. Easier said then done right?

ATSmith said...

Yes, yes, yes. I say, Just as I am, but then I think I want people to be like me, or think like me, and become frustrated when they don't. Duh! God takes them just as they are too. Hey, I was going to blog about this! You beat me to it, but I guess it was your idea. Is there anything out there on Blog infringement, blog rights? etc. I like the song. Cheesy but good.