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 I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot

O Lamb of God, I come, I come

The choir sang my favorite version of this song last week.  I’ve heard this song all my life in church and almost always as a song used during the altar call, calling sinners to come.  Just as you are, come and be cleansed.  And oh, it is true, the Lord is always calling sinners to come.  It is His will that all would be saved, and He is ever calling.  But it isn’t only sinners that He is ever calling.  Psalm 34:8 says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”

I come broken to be mended

I come wounded to be healed

I come desperate to be rescued

I come empty to be filled

 I come guilty to be pardoned

By the blood of Christ the Lamb

I have often desired to go to the altar, but have stopped myself with these thoughts: “is my reason good enough to go?” or worse, “I just went last week, what will people think?”  How often have I allowed those types of thoughts to keep myself from going to the altar to meet with my Lord?  I’ll tell myself that I can meet with him later, at home.  But I will be distracted and forget.  And besides it was then He was calling me to come, meet with him.  To let Him meet my needs.  To mend me, heal me, rescue me, fill me.  

And maybe it’s not the altar at church he has called me to.  So often it is to our special garden He has called me to.  Come, Ginger, just as you are, right now.  But I delay with excuses or pretend I don’t even hear.  I am reminded of Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem in Luke 13:34, “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!”  And oh, why wouldn’t I?  Why don’t I?

Just as I am, I would be lost

But mercy and grace my freedom bought

And now to glory in Your cross

O Lamb of God, I come, I come

But mercy and grace my freedom bought

And now to glory in Your cross

O Lamb of God, I come, I come

I can come to the Lord, even now, just as I am, because mercy and grace have made a way for me.  I can come in my sin and find forgiveness.  I can come sick and find healing; broken and find He is able to mend.  And oh, I can come empty and be filled!  The Lord wants to meet with me.  The Lord wants to meet my needs.  And all I have to do is come.  I will glory in the Cross, for by it I have fellowship with the Lord God Almighty, who loves me and has made a way for me and is ever calling, “come.”

And I’m welcomed with open arms

Praise God, just as I am