Just come as you are

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

Jesus instructs us all to come to Him – He doesn’t saying we can only come to him if we satisfy certain criteria. Jesus wants us all to come to Him, no matter who we are, where we are, or what we may have said or done in the past.

If you’ve been following my blog for a little while, you may remember that one of my favourite pieces of Salvation Army band music, is Wilfred Heaton’s meditation, ‘Just As I Am’. I love this piece of music, not just because it’s a fantastic band arrangement, but because at times when I doubt if I’m worthy of God’s love, it reminds me that God accepts us just the way we are.

You may or may not be aware that I play trombone in Bellshill Salvation Army Band (BSAB), and so imagine my delight when I found this wonderful arrangement of my favourite band piece, written especially for 5 trombones. I love this recording and pray you too will find reassurance in the words associated with this music, and blessing from the music.

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, 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!
 
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt;
Fightings within, and fears without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
 
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind;
Yes, all I need, in Thee to find,
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
Has broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!