I’ve never done a blog post on a Sunday night, and this really isn’t one. It’s just what’s in my heart tonight.
Billy Graham died this week at the age of 99, after a lifetime of carrying the message of the God he loved so much. At the end of the crusades he led, he always gave an invitation to people to come forward and give themselves to God. The hymn that he used was “Just As I Am”—the refrain is “O Lamb of God, I come. I come.” I like to imagine the moment when Billy Graham responded to God’s final invitation in heaven—when he walked into the arms of Jesus and heard, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come. Come.” And Billy Graham was home.
Just As I Am
— Charlotte Elliot with Renee Adele Phillips
Just as I am, without one plea,
I have nothing to give You, Lord.
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
Yet You gave everything to me—
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,
Why? Are you really calling me?
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
I want so badly to believe it and run into Your arms.
Just as I am, though tossed about
I’m still not sure if I can surrender—
With many a conflict, many a doubt;
if I can finally lay down everything that keeps me from You.
Fightings within, and fears without,
Yet in the midst of all the noise of my fear,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
I hear it. You are calling me.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
I have run so far and still feel so damaged
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
But You say You’ll forgive me—for all of it—
Because Thy promise I believe,
and You’ll love me in spite of it?!
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
I’ll come. I’ll come.
Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Here in Your arms, there is unfathomable love
Has broken every barrier down;
and grace enough to stop my running.
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
I am always and only Yours, my God.
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Held tightly by You, I’ve come home.
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Comments 10
WOW and WOW, God has truly given you a gift. One of your best yet. What a blessing to me.
Thank you, Pam. I’m so glad this blessed you today.
I love your heart in this and you echo the prayers of my own heart and I am sure yours too!
Thank you, Klara. This definitely is my heart.
I can’t even imagine the rejoicing in heaven and Billy Graham arrived! So beautiful, Renee. What a special talent God has given you. Thank you my dear -I love you -you are a blessing to so many❣️
Thank you so much, dear Aunt Joyce, for such kind words. Love you, too.
Renee, a simply beautiful, thoughtful. The Reverend Billy Graham, just saying or writing his name, awesome. His many followers, wow. His message was always direct, simplistic, just Love The Lord, Jesus Christ. Two personal remembrances. In 1956, my Mother, Marion, went to Rev. Billy Graham’s Crusade At Madison Square Garden,NYC, she came forward when Rev, Graham called, exchanged a brief greeting. My mom lived to be 101, she was a Christ centered person. Last week, after Billy Graham’s death, my wife Debbie recalled, she attended one or two services at the Baptist Church,Southeast Houston, in the 1960’s, near Bonner Elementary school, Iwhere Billy Graham Pastored. I read a quote, in the Newspaper, yesterday, Billy Graham was once asked by a president to consider running for Vice President, of the United$ States, Inwill never forget his ananaswer, “I can’t step down”. Yes, we need another Billy Graham in this country desperately.
Oh, Harold–I love this. Amazing that your mom answered the invitation, and that Debbie attended two of his services. And I love what you wrote about Billy Graham being asked to run for Vice President and what his response was. Thank you so much for sharing all of this.
A great and humble man of God!
The world could use an encore right about now!
Steve–“great and humble”–a wonderful paradox. Thank you for that. And an encore? Yes!