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Thought for the Week

Clifton College's Chaplain, Kim Taplin, brings us his 'Thought for the Week'

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Just as I am

In 1822, hymn writer Charlotte Elliott was parched by spiritual dryness. She asked Dr Cesar Malan, a German evangelist who was staying in her family home, how she could come to receive the ‘Living Water’ of Christ. His reply was simple and unambiguous: “Come to him just as you are.”

Twelve years later, while housebound through illness (and Charlotte was disabled for the last fifty years of her life), she wondered how she could still serve God. Dr Malan’s words resurfaced in her mind. “Come to him just as you are.” That afternoon, she penned her inspiring hymn, “Just as I am”. It speaks not only of our encounter with God’s love at the Cross, but it also promotes the Cross as a source of grace and strength as we face the challenges of daily life.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve:
Because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come.

10 March 2009

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