“Just As We Are…!” In 1835 Charlotte Elliott penned the words to, “Just as I Am,
Without One Plea.” This old hymn has closed Billy Graham Crusades for decades.
It’s a hymn that has brought comfort to people since its writing. With today’s
modern English, the lyrics are difficult to understand. But, a bit of study makes them
meaningful and inspirational as we sing them or hear them. They say, in essence,
that even though we have no right to ask, we come to God with all the burdens of
our lives. We come away from that altar KNOWING that God has forgiven us and has
blessed us beyond compare; just as we are!
Monday, October 25 -
One month from today, November 25th, is Thanksgiving Day.
One month from then is Christmas! Now that I’ve started your week by pointing out
the obvious, there is a method to my madness. Thanksgiving is a national day for
giving God thanks for all we’ve been given. Christmas is when we are thankful that
God sent Jesus to us in such a precious way. The psalm writer said that we come
crawling to God even when we’ve fallen short of God’s expectations for us. Having
said that, we know God is still here for us. Think of the many ways God has been
there for you during this past week. Now, give thanks, first that God sent Jesus to
assure us of pardon for our sins. Then, thank God for forgiving us for all we do every
day that certainly goes against God’s grain! God accepts us just as we are!
Tuesday, October 26 -
Today, our oldest child, daughter Jenny, turns 37! Where
have those years gone? I remember her birth like it was yesterday. When I think
about those elapsed years I am in awe that God has been so gracious to me. I’ve
made so many mistakes. I’ve done so many things that God would never approve of.
And yet, God continues to love me. God continues to bless me. God accepts us just
as we are! Happy Birthday, Jenny! Love, Dad.
Wednesday, October 27 -
In this week’s passage from II Timothy, Paul recalls
his twofold indignity: “no one came to my support” and “all deserted me” (v. 16 of
Chapter 4). At first glance we think that Paul must surely be feeling sorry for himself.
But, we know that Paul’s nature is to be bold and confident, almost to the point of
arrogance. But, we should never underestimate a person by their outward demeanor.
We cannot know what they are going through on the inside. The thing we can know
for sure is that God loves us just as we are!
Thursday, October 28 -
Jesus told this week’s parable to the people who trusted in
themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt. The 21st
century church takes a lot of heat about being hypocritical. This passage reminds us
that we are, at times like the righteous Pharisee in this story. At first, we deny that
we’d point at someone and say those types of words. Yet, we’ve all done it, whether
blatantly or unconsciously, when we’ve criticized others because we thought “our
way” was better. Jesus reminds us that God’s way is better and God’s way is
accepting us “just as we are!”
Friday, October 29 -
At the end of our Gospel text for this week Jesus said, “for
all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be
exalted.” This isn’t the only place in our Bible where Jesus tells us how we are to
act. What this says to me is that with God we never have to put on airs. God made
us each the way we are. God surely thinks we are beautiful! So, when we consider,
firstly, HOW we were created, and secondly, WHO created us, there is no need to
ever “exalt” ourselves. God is already impressed with us. God loves us just the way
we are!