Send Me

Bethel Music's “Send Me,” led by Jenn Johnson and Chris Quilala, is a volunteer's answer in song. The first verse offers ordinary service, “bandaging the broken or washing filthy feet,” and the reply is the line that returns all night, “Here I am, Lord, send me.” It continues with a list of conditions that don't change the answer: loving people “even when we don't agree,” being poor or wealthy, on the mountain or in the valley.

The pivot of the song is a question of identity. “If I'm known by how I love, let my life reflect how much I love You” ties service to affection, and the second verse follows it into harder ground: “If the truth cuts like an arrow, I will say it anyway... and if it means that they'll reject me, Lord, I will still obey.” The bridge looks ahead to “standing in Your glory” and hearing “Well done, good and faithful.” A late spoken line borrows Mary's words, “Be it unto me according to Your word.”

“Here I am, send me” is Isaiah 6:8. The Mary line is Luke 1:38, and the hoped-for commendation is the master's words in Matthew 25:21. Foot-washing recalls John 13.