Shaun Groves
I’m not feeling great this week. So this morning I sat at our old rickety piano and played my favorite song from an old faded blue hymnal. It’s the song I go to when anything’s broken, a relic from my childhood that still speaks to me by giving me the words to speak to God.
When I was a little kid my family was part of a country church that sang every stanza. If it was the last hymn, maybe we’d sing them twice while the pastor urged sinners and broken saints to come. “One more time. Jesus is waiting for you. Come.”
These days, the stanza I sing the most is the fourth – the least known perhaps. It reminds me of the holistic nature of salvation, the breadth of God’s attention. Not just for the soul, but for body, mind, bank account, whatever ails me. It reminds me that Jesus has more to offer than forgiveness: All that I need.
Just As I Am was written by an invalid named Charlotte Elliot, who called it her biography in song. She was a joyful person until an illness confined her to her bed and a life of daily pain just after her thirtieth birthday.
She was bitter, angry, lashed out at God for many years. Until a minister invited her to come. She claimed that Jesus changed her life that day, though he didn’t change her body. From her bed she wrote more than a hundred hymns to her Joy, who robbed her of both sin and bitterness.
Somedays I swear I know He wants to put His healing hands on the busted pieces, to straighten the deformed flesh wherever He finds it bent, to stop the pain, to dry the tears from my eyes. So I sing. And sometimes He doesn’t. And I don’t know why. I sing anyway.
I sing sick, angry, grateful, doubting, fearful and glad.
I sing these words somedays until hot tears streak my face and my voice shakes, unable to hold the tune, until it folds into a hoarse whisper. I sing until I rest my forehead on the hymnal in exhausted silence or deep moaning mourning. I sing it other days until I grin uncontrollably, my face too deformed to annunciate the words. Somedays I’ve stopped playing and scanned the room, almost certain I’m not alone. Most days I just sing and I’m no different for it at all, except that I’ve said something to God that needed saying.
“Whoever comes to Me I will never drive away,” He says. (John 6:37) So I come, poor wretched, blind with all I need in Him to find.
Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd’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, tho tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt
Fightings and fears within, without
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind –
Sight, riches, healing of the mind
Yea, 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!
What song speaks to you by giving you words to speak to God?
Tamara Cosby says:
Refiner’s Fire.
Adam Shields says:
It is well With my Soul…even when it is not. I know it can be. Love the music too.
Jenny says:
Another vote for It Is Well. It reaches me when nothing else can.
Ken Summerlin says:
Be Thou My Vision
Michael Patterson says:
Revelation Song gets my vote.
Ronne says:
I am Thine, O Lord. The first time I ever heard it, I was doing mission work in Mexico. One of the guys in our band sang it, his acoustic arrangement soulful and tender. I love the refrain.
I am thine, O Lord, I have heard thy voice,
and it told thy love to me;
but I long to rise in the arms of faith
and be closer drawn to thee.
Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
to the cross where thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
to thy precious, bleeding side.
Consecrate me now to thy service, Lord,
by the power of grace divine;
let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
and my will be lost in thine.
O the pure delight of a single hour
that before thy throne I spend,
when I kneel in prayer, and with thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!
There are depths of love that I cannot know
till I cross the narrow sea;
there are heights of joy that I may not reach
till I rest in peace with thee.
Kelli says:
Just one?
Beautiful, Terrible Cross – This song gives me chills and makes me cry every time.
He Lives – reminds me of childhood, this was my favorite hymn as a child and every time I hear it, I smile.
I would agree with Michael above – The Revelation Song is one that I cannot sing without my arms reached high and my heart bursting with praise.
There are so many more…
Phoebe says:
Beautiful post…
I wasn’t raised in church so mine is a new(er) song.
From The Inside Out {Hillsong United}
A thousand times I’ve failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I’m caught in your grace
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise, become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
My Soul cries out to You
My Soul cries out to You
to You, to You
My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out.
Tater Mama says:
Because He Lives and Blessed Assurance are two of my old favorites. I love the “old” hymns.
Heather EV says:
It Is Well…almost to the point that I don’t sing it often because it feels so holy and reserved for me. It’s one of those ones that makes everything well.
Lisa says:
I Surrender All.
Paula from Northern Ireland says:
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea,
A great high Priest whose Name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free,
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there, the risen Lamb,
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with Himself, I cannot die,
My soul is purchased by His blood.
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God!
One with Himself, I cannot die,
My soul is purchased by His blood.
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God!
tobit says:
just as I am is on the list, but this one probably tops it, not that I ever make it to the end
NancyTyler says:
Great is Thy Faithfulness…
Sung at my wedding.
Sung at my husband’s funeral almost five years to the day later.
Sung when I know He’s faithful and when I need to be reminded of it.
And a Mylon LeFevre song,
For My Growing
I guess I must appear so brave and so strong
but even the strong need someone to cry their songs to
someone who feels the disappointment
and fading visions of grandeur
who knows that the strong are often children and unsure
who have endure
[chorus]
Jesus although I may stand these storms
like I’m made out of stone
You hear the songs that I cry
when I’m weary and all alone
You see the years that have come too fast
and the pain that goes so slow
yet like rain to a garden
when the ground becomes hardened
I know You’re using it all to help me grow
I have to be a beacon, strong and shining Your light
I know that beacons can’t ever be weary
or frightened of the night
so I seek You even through these songs
and I wait for You to hear me
and I know that You are going to answer
despite my trembling and my fear
I just need to feel You near me
jen says:
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Though I certainly don’t know all the words, there are times when these lines run through my head over and over and over, my only prayer.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
Dee Brannon says:
“Sweet Hour of Prayer”. My mom used to hum and sing it as she was doing her housework. It brings back sweet memories and also reminds me that time with Jesus is precious.
‘Sweet of prayer, sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care”
Katie says:
To the afflicted, tossed with tempests and not comforted by John Newton, and redone really well here: http://www.redmountainchurch.org/rmm/alb/rmmsheetmusic/pensivedoubtingfearfulheart_sheet.pdf
Pensive, doubting, fearful heart,
Hear what CHRIST the Savior says;
Every word should joy impart,
Change thy mourning into praise:
Yes, he speaks, and speaks to thee,
May he help thee to believe!
Then thou presently wilt see,
Thou hast little cause to grieve.
“Fear thou not, nor be ashamed,
All thy sorrows soon shall end
I who heav’n and earth have framed,
Am thy husband and thy friend
I the High and Holy One,
Israel’s GOD by all adored;
As thy Savior will be known,
Thy Redeemer and thy Lord.
For a moment I withdrew,
And thy heart was filled with pain;
But my mercies I’ll renew,
Thou shalt soon rejoice again:
Though I scorn to hide my face,
Very soon my wrath shall cease;
‘Tis but for a moment’s space,
Ending in eternal peace.
Though afflicted, tempest-tossed,
Comfortless awhile thou art,
Do not think thou canst be lost,
Thou art graven on my heart
All thy walls I will repair,
Thou shalt be rebuilt anew;
And in thee it shall appear,
What a God of love can do.
Shayne says:
Shaun,
I don’t know why you’re going through what you’re going through but thank you so much for talking about it ’cause I don’t feel so good right now either. Matter of fact I feel pretty dead inside.
I can’t articulate the cause and honestly I don’t care about that. I just needed someone to remind me today that I can come to Him no matter how messed up I am. Even though I’m a “Christian” I’m still so messed up sometimes. I needed to know today that I don’t have to be perfect.
So thanks. Again.
Rick Orrell says:
Shayne – There’s Someone who makes even the deserts to bloom. Praying for ya! (and for Shaun, too! :-))
Leah says:
Spontaneous (You Make Me Happy) by Jenn Johnson
She doesn’t say much in it, but it’s one of the few songs that captures the intensity of my feelings & my commitment to Him in those moments when I’m overwhelmed, whether by extremely difficult or extremely joyful circumstances.
JessicaBowman says:
Apparently this is going around, I even blogged a Just As I Am type spiel the other day.
And does it have to be a hymn? I’ve been digging JJ Heller’s “Your Hands” lately.
Meredith Dunn says:
None But Jesus
In the quiet, in the stillness
I know that You are God
In the secret of Your presence
I know there I am restored
When You call I won’t refuse
Each new day again I’ll choose
There is no one else for me
None but Jesus
Crucified to set me free
Now I live to bring Him praise
In the chaos, in confusion
I know You’re Sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will
When You call I won’t delay
This my song through all my days
All my delight is in You Lord
All of my hope, all of my strength
All my delight is in You Lord Forevermore
cshell says:
Great post, i needed that today, thank you. The song for me is Pieces by Red. In this season of my life I feel like it was written for me…
“Pieces”
I’m here again
A thousand miles away from you
A broken mess, just scattered pieces of who I am
I tried so hard
Thought I could do this on my own
I’ve lost so much along the way
Then I’ll see your face
I know I’m finally yours
I find everything I thought I lost before
You call my name
I come to you in pieces
So you can make me whole
I’ve come undone
But you make sense of who I am
Like puzzle pieces in your eye
Then I’ll see your face
I know I’m finally yours
I find everything I thought I lost before
You call my name
I come to you in pieces
So you can make me whole!
I tried so hard! So hard!
I tried so hard!
Then I’ll see your face
I know I’m finally yours
I find everything I thought I lost before
You call my name
I come to you in pieces
So you can make me whole
So you can make me whole
Bethany says:
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. I’ve always loved this song and recently found out that my Mom sang all throughout her labor with me. I thought that was pretty cool:)
Beth says:
Another vote for “It is well…” My mother would sing this song during chemo treatments. It was sung at her funeral and my father’s too. “Victory In Jesus” was my dad’s all time favorite and even though he couldn’t carry a tune in a 10 gallon wash tub, he always sang it with gusto. Both of these hymns are very special to me, especially when the dragon of depression relentlessly attacks.
Beth
PJ says:
Just as I Am is a favorite of mine – in the same way you have said, it causes tears to flow.
I hope you are uplifted and feeling better soon, Shaun.
Kathy says:
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Jen (above) noted the verse that always gets me.
And How He Loves Us as sung by Kim Walker/Jesus Culture.
He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight and the wind of His mercy.
When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are
…How He loves us so…
And how great Your affections are for me…
Like a cool drink on a blazing hot day to my soul.
Kris says:
There are so many, I don’t think I can list them.
Music is a major part of my walk with the Lord. I think it is mostly because I have ADD. It is hard for me to focus well enough to be able to pray, but music captures my mind.
God has blessed us so much with those of you are gifted with music writing abilities. I am able to pray and express myself because the music and lyrics give me the template and get my head zoned in.
I have thoughts, feelings, notions…but I can’t organize them enough to express it well, unless I’m writing myself. I can’t always be writing when I pray. So it is totally awesome when there is a song that is saying exactly what my soul wants to get out but my head can’t get it together.
misty says:
It really depends on my day. However, one of my favorites is one that just seems to take me right before Jesus. It seems like when I worship to this song I am laying right in front of the throne.
You Alone by David Crowder
You are the only one I need
I bow all of me at Your feet
I worship You alone
You have given me more than
I could ever have wanted
And I want to give You my heart and my soul
You alone are Father
And You alone are good
You are alone are Savior
And You alone are God
I’m alive, I’m alive
I’m alive, I’m alive
Another favorite is also by David Crowder and when I am hurting this is the song I go to sing before God.
All I Can Say by David Crowder
Lord I’m tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I’m so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I’ll stop
Rest here a while
And didn’t You see me cry’n?
And didn’t You hear me call Your name?
Wasn’t it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You’d remember
Where you sat it down
Chorus:
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
Bridge:
I didn’t notice You were standing here
I didn’t know that
That was You holding me
I didn’t notice You were cry’n too
I didn’t know that
That was You washing my feet
rhonda says:
My youngest daughter requests that I sing Amazing Grace to her. And she loves to hear the story behind how it was written. To me, it evokes not only the grace God has blessed me with, but memories of sitting by my grandmother in church on sunday morning…
keith says:
Cannons.
Josh says:
Just As I Am is a good one for sure, and brings me straight back to the altar call time in North Carolina growing up. Memories, man.
The heavy hitters for me have already been mentioned, and are in this order:
1. Before the Throne of God Above
2. It is Well With My Soul
3. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Thanks for your words today. Good stuff.
Princess Leia says:
As others have said, it depends on my mood, and I agree with many of those listed above (Be Still my Soul, It Is Well, and Before the Throne of God Above in particular). Others in no particular order:
– Oh Love that will not let me go (gonna introduce Robbie Seay’s version this week!)
– The Love of God (Frederick Lehman)
– You Alone Can Rescue (Matt Redman)
I think mine tend toward the “lay your burdens down, God’s got it” kind of themes.
amy in peru says:
every Shaun Groves song, of course. heheheh.
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Be Thou My Vision
Just As I am
I Surrender All
In Christ Alone
We Rest On Thee
It is Well – my husbands fav
perhaps you are being inspired to do a hymn album?! 😉
hymns have a special quality about them… what is it? somehow teaching deep truths while moving the soul.
thanks for this reflection…
amy in peru
Lindsay @ Not2Us says:
How Great Thou Art
Sometimes I’m singing it because I know it, deep down in my heart and soul. Other times, I’m singing it because I need to be reminded of it, in the hard and trying times.
Tiffany says:
What A Friend We Have In Jesus … I never cease to be amazed at the peace that floods my soul when I finally stop holding stuff in and just talk to God about it all. It could be something as silly as a crush or something as heavy as sin or family illness. The situation may not go away … but you can’t mistake the peace, love and friendship of God. My favorite lines:
“Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer…. Can we find a friend so faithful”
E-Jayjo says:
I too grew up with this song being sung while the church stood for the “invitation.” It was the song they sung the day I asked Jesus to take over. It has a very special meaning to me, and just like you said, some days I sing it and my voice cracks and falters away to nothing, replaced by tears.
Kelly @ Love Well says:
I wasn’t aware that Just As I Am only had four verses. Growing up Baptist, I thought there were 36.
My favorites? A few have already been mentioned: Be Thou My Vision resonates deeply, and the music stirs my soul. (I think it’s my Irish roots.) Come Thou Font grounds me and flood my soul with joy, as all true worship does. And I never fail to sing the modern hymn In Christ Alone without lifting my hands and bawling at the same time. (Makes for an interesting look as I’m driving my swagger wagon down the freeway. But oh well. I’m free.)
amy says:
My favorite-
The Prodigal Son Suite by Keith Green.
Can not hear it without getting choked up, especially the ending. Not many these days know it, but LISTEN TO IT!!! Amazing.
Kandi says:
“Jesus Paid It All” by Kristian Stanfill
“Jesus Paid It All,
All to Him I owe,
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow…”
Just singing the words brings a lump to my throat every single time. Which is frustrating because I’m trying to sing.
The verses and chorus have such simple words to honor Jesus’ sacrifice…but whenever I sing them it makes Jesus’ death on the cross more real to me.
Amazing. Thank-you Jesus.
Angie Raess says:
Another vote for It Is Well. These words get to me: “My sin not in part but the whole, was nailed to that cross and I bare it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord oh my soul.”
Also recently, “How He Loves” and Phil Whickam’s “I’ll Always Love You”.
Great post Shaun. Honest. Raw. Real.
Jenny says:
It is well (wrecks me every time!)
In Christ Alone
I had never heard Just as I am until a few years ago and I remember running to my worship pastor at the time (he was a life-time baptist) saying “I just heard this amazing song that we have to sing at church”
He laughed of course 🙂 I have loved the song ever since!