“Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me, and once that person is with me, I hold on and don’t let go.”  ~John 6:37 (The Message Translation)

“She was an embittered woman, Charlotte Elliott of Brighton, England.  Her health was broken , and her disability had hardened her.  “If God loved me”, she muttered, “He would not have treated me this way.”

Hoping to help her, a Swiss minister, Dr. Cesar Malon, visited the Elliotts on May 9, 1822.  Over dinner, Charlotte lost her temper and railed against God and family in a violent outburst.  Her embarrassed family left the room, and Dr. Malon was left alone with her.

‘You are tired of yourself, aren’t you?’ he asked.  ‘You are holding to your hate and anger….Consequently, you have become sour, bitter, and resentful.’

‘What is your cure?’ asked Charlotte.  ‘The faith you are trying to despise.’”

This excerpt taken from “Then Sings My Soul” by Robert J. Morgan, describes how many of us have felt from time to time…..angry, disappointed, bitter, and frustrated.  So often, we focus on the things that we can’t do or don’t have.  Our thoughts become negative; our hearts become hardened.

God wants so much more for us than we could ever imagine.  When we are able to get “past ourselves” and focus on the Lord and His Kingdom, then and only then is He able to use us to our fullest potential and fulfull the Call on our lives.

Charlotte Elliott gave her heart to Christ on the May 9, 1822.  Her focus changed; and she was able to reach her destiny.  When she died at age 82, she had written “about 150 hymns”, including the “most famous invitational hymn in history”.  I’m sure you know it…..

“Just as I am, without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come

to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Friend:  I want you know without a doubt today that God loves you more than you’ll ever know or be able to understand.  His mercy is great!  His grace is abundant! and His love is overflowing!  If you’ve been struggling with God’s plan for your life, let me encourage you today:  Come to Him – just as you are – and simply trust Him.  He sees things you cannot see.  He knows things you cannot know.  He’s got it all under control.