New Life Promised, New Life Given [Spirituality & Religion]

In 1828, at the age of 32, Charlotte Elliott suffered a serious illness that left her a semi-invalid. This caused depression, and within the year she experienced a severe spiritual crisis. Besides its general trying influence on the spirits, her illness often caused her the pain of feeling useless in her life, while the circle round her was full of unresting service for God. Such a time of trial marked the year 1834, when she was forty-five years old, and was living in Westfield Lodge, Brighton. Her brother, the Rev. H. V. Elliott, had not long before conceived the plan of St. Mary's Hall, at Brighton, a school designed to give, at nominal cost, a high education to the daughters of clergymen.

As days wore on, Swiss evangelist Henry A. Cesàr Malan came to visit her family, and she confessed to him that she didn’t know how to come to Christ. His famous response was, “Come to him just as you are.” Her depression continued, however.

Twelve years later, she laid awake at night, distressed by her uselessness as an invalid. The next day, as she reflected on the previous night, she decided she needed to meet her spiritual restlessness head on, and conquer them by the grace of God. So she gathered up in her soul, the grand certainties...not of her emotions, but of her salvation: her Lord, His power, His promise...always there, not only at some past moment, but 'even now,' as she reflected on her own “formula of faith,” remembering those words of the visiting evangelist. In the end, she sat down and penned the beloved hymn, “Just as I am, without one plea.”

As the day wore on, her sister-in-law, Mrs. C. V. Elliott . . . came in to see her and bring news of her brother's work in the school. There, she read the hymn, and asked for a copy. So it is, from that quiet room, her rule of faith has since spread throughout the world, becoming a comfort to millions, who experience doubt and uncertainty in their faith. It has been sowing and reaping, till a multitude which only God can number, have been blessed through its message.

If you have doubts and burdens, know that you, too, can find comfort and joy, in knowing that whoever you are, and no matter how badly you think you've messed up your life, Christ can give you a brand-new, guilt-free life through the forgiveness of sins, and break every chain that binds you. He invites you to come to Him, with all the love in His heart...just as you are.