Growing up, the attendees of our tiny church sang all the old hymns. I still remember lines from so many of them. One gave me comfort and if I’m honest, an irrational justification to keep doing what I wanted sometimes, because well, look at this line:
Just as I am, without one plea/But that Thy blood was shed for me…
Just as I am. All the good, the bad, and the ugly. But it also convicted me, mostly because I knew how imperfect I was – and am.
In John 13:34, Jesus is very clear:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Since Jesus loved me just as I am, how do I love as He loved? Without employing my tendency to fix or shape or influence but, rather to enjoy and learn from and…well, love. What does that look like?
I’ll admit that sometimes I’d like it to look like just leaving someone “where Jesus flang” them ala Anne Lamott.
Just Sayin' 