Come As You Are

You've had a long hard day, your hair's a mess, your shirt is wrinkled and has stains that will probably never come out no matter what the commercials on TV tell you. You didn't bother to put makeup on because, why? You're done and want to just cry your heart out on the sofa or even floor because the sofa is too far away. And then you get a call, ____ (insert someone you'd give anything to meet) is here, they've heard about you and they want to meet you right now so grab your keys and come as you are.

Come. As. You. Are?!?! Are you kidding me?! They wouldn't understand, they'd judge you, they wouldn't even let you in the front door to see _______ if you just came as you are. So you throw on another shirt, pull your hair up and throw on some make up in the car trying to hide who you were/are. You meet ______ and find that they're just as amazing as you thought they'd be and they want to know your story and help you however they can; but how could you tell them? Would they understand? What would happen if you remove this mask of perfection and are seen as you are?

It's scary isn't it? But this is what Jesus asks of us to simply come as we are because He does understand, He knows you better than you know yourself and He's gone through it all because He wanted a relationship with you. It's hard to understand and it's hard to go before anyone with the ugly truth but "...to be known is to be loved and to be loved is to be known.." (woman at the well/woman of no distinction spoken word poem) for someone to know the good, bad, ugly and still love you and seek a relationship with you... words cannot describe.

2015 was a great year but it was also a trying a year, a year of lessons, tests and hurts... but God is making me into a new creation and this means a lot of shaping, time in the fire and some chisling all for the furtherment of His Kingdom and His glory. So here's to 2016. I don't know what all it holds but my goals are: #1. Growing closer to God #2. Finding my identity in Him #3. Healing physically #4 Journaling #5 Being content #6 Dealing with my demons #7 Listening and watching for the next step

This is a beautiful song my Haiti siblings started playing a couple months ago and everytime I hear it God speaks to me. I hope He speaks to you too and you find the strength to come as you are before His throne.

Come As You Are ~ David Crowder

Come out of sadness

From wherever you've been

Come broken hearted

Let rescue begin

Come find your mercy

Oh sinner come kneel

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't heal

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't heal

So lay down your burdens

Lay down your shame

All who are broken

Lift up your face

Oh wanderer come home

You're not too far

So lay down your hurt

Lay down your heart

Come as you are

There's hope for the hopeless

And all those who've strayed

Come sit at the table

Come taste the grace

There's rest for the weary

Rest that endures

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't cure

So lay down your burdens

Lay down your shame

All who are broken

Lift up your face

Oh wanderer come home

You're not too far

Lay down your hurt

Lay down your heart

Come as you are

Come as you are

Fall in his arms

Come as you are

There's joy for the morning

Oh sinner be still

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't heal

Earth has no sorrow

That heaven can't heal