Several years ago I was introduced to a new rendition of the song “Just As I Am” that was entitled “Just As I Am (I Come Broken)”. Within the additional lyrics in this newer rendition there are words that I connect with every time I hear them. “I come broken to be mended. I come wounded to be healed. I come desperate to be rescued. I come empty to be filled. I come guilty to be pardoned by the blood of Christ the lamb and I’m welcomed with open arms. Praise God. Just as I am.”
Most people have felt broken at one time or another, especially if a person has honestly evaluated their life and has seen what sin has done to their relationship to God. Thankfully the Word of God tells us exactly where we can go and who we can turn to for help for all of the pain and brokenness we sometimes feel because of things in this life and our sin.
Before the foundations of the world, and before sin and pain had even entered the world, God had a plan to send His Son to redeem mankind. (1 Peter 1:19-21) He knew that all men would sin and deserve death, but God had a plan that offers salvation and eternal life to all that would obey. (Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23) We all have the opportunity to be cleansed of our sins, (1 Peter 3:21), and to live a new life in Christ. (Romans 6:4) We have that opportunity because of Christ, for Jesus is truly the only way to salvation and the only way for any of us to reach the Father. (John 14:6) We all need to come before God with the same attitude and desire that David had in Psalm 51 to be cleansed and made whole. We need to humbly submit ourselves to God knowing that He truly cares for us all. (1 Peter 5:7) No matter the pain or burden we bear we can be assured our God is always there. We need to remember that He loves us so much that He sent us His Son. Because of the love of Christ, Jesus died on the cross for the sins of mankind and rose up from the grave giving us an opportunity to rise up in Him. (Romans 5:8, Romans 6:4) If we ever feel broken because of the things of this life or because of sin, let us always remember to turn to God.
Derek Broome