I’ve been singing hymns most of my adult life and with a few notable exceptions I never cared much for them. Chalk it up to contempt bred by familiarity or the arrogance of youth but either way they didn’t reflect my words of worship.
In the presence day I’m still more likely to turn to worship styles favored by Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, and Phillips Craig and Dean. (Sidebar: Worship isn’t about us so don’t let our preferences get in the way of worship.) However, what I’ve discovered is after years away from many of these hymns I’ve found my soul now leaps through their words.
It is easy to just go through the motions of worship. Sometimes you have to strip away and step away to find fresh worship in old words.
An interpretation |
“Just As I Am” by Charlotte Elliot, 1835 |
Just as I am |
Just as I am. |
I’ve been shackled in this darkness long enough. |
Just as I am – and waiting not |
I’m tossed about as though I were asea. Life has battered me. |
Just as I am – though toss’d about |
You have promised that you will This I believe. I come. Just as I am. |
Just as I am – Thou wilt receive, |
My apologies to this great hymn and its author Charlotte Elliot.
Take a fresh listen to this stirring and simple rendition by Johnny Cash.
May you rediscover some beautiful old words of faith that give rise to your own worship.
I’m considering doing a series of “Old Words” so if you enjoyed this post I’d love hear from you. Please leave me a comment or tweet me. I promise I won’t paraphrase very often.
Great post, Keith.