So many of the lyrics in this song just fit how God relates to us: with grace and acceptance, not "conditional love." We don't have to change a thing. If we never improve, never do another thing for Him, never fully understand or live out grace, it doesn't matter. He accepts us just the way we are. I see it as a love song from God to us:
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
Don't go changing to try and please me,
You never let me down before,
Don't imagine you're too familiar,
And I don't see you anymore.
I would not leave you in times of trouble,
We never could have come this far,
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times,
I'll take you just the way you are.
Don't go trying some new fashion,
Don't change the color of your hair,
You always have my unspoken passion,
Although I might not seem to care.
I don't want clever conversation,
I never want to work that hard,
I just want someone that I can talk to,
I want you just the way you are.
I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew,
What will it take till you believe in me,
The way that I believe in you?
I said I love you and that's forever,
And this I promise from the heart,
I couldn't love you any better,
I love you just the way you are.
Billy Joel
