Keith Green - Here Am I, Send Me Lyrics
Lyrics
Oh Lord, there's just so much to be done
Oh Lord, so many souls to be won
Oh Lord, this world is falling apart
Dying for love from a broken heart
Here am I, send me
Though there's really not that much I can do
What I have seems so small
But I want to give it all to you
Oh Lord, you said the harvest was great
But Lord, looks like the workers are late
It's getting hard to understand
How they ignore your great command
Here am I, send me
Though you said the ones who labor are few
Still my heart hears the call
And I wanna give it all to you
Oh, to reach the ones nobody does
Give up my pride and even work in the mud
I wanna be like those who spilled their blood
And gave it like water to you
Oh Lord, there's just so much to be done
Oh Lord, so many souls to be won
It seem this world is falling apart
Lord won't you send me?
Oh Lord, there's just so much to be done
Oh Lord, so many souls to be won
Oh Lord, this world is falling apart
Crying for love from a broken heart
Here am I, send me
Though there's really not that much I can do
What I have seems so small
But I want to give it all to you
Here am I, send me
Though you said the ones you've chosen are few
Still my heart hears you call
And I wanna give it all to you
Video
Keith Green: Here Am I... Send Me
Meaning & Inspiration
Keith Green’s "Here Am I, Send Me," released as part of *The Ministry Years 1977-1979* on January 1, 1987, stands as a powerful testament to a life utterly surrendered to God's purpose. This song, though a posthumous compilation release, perfectly encapsulates the fervent spirit and urgent call to action that defined Green's brief yet impactful ministry. It's less a conventional musical composition and more a passionate prayer, an honest confession, and a desperate plea to participate in a divine mission. The song's genesis lies in the profound conviction that the world is in spiritual crisis, a theme deeply rooted in biblical understanding, compelling a response from anyone who grasps the severity of humanity's plight.
The core message of "Here Am I, Send Me" resonates directly with the prophetic commission found in Isaiah 6:8, where God asks, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" and Isaiah responds with unwavering availability. Green echoes this ancient cry, recognizing the immense spiritual need articulated in the opening lines: "Oh Lord, there's just so much to be done / Oh Lord, so many souls to be won / Oh Lord, this world is falling apart / Dying for love from a broken heart." This mirrors Jesus's own lament over Jerusalem in Luke 19:41-42, seeing a world adrift and lost without God's transformative love. The song lays bare the stark reality of human brokenness, a world in desperate need of the redemption offered through Christ, reminding us of the ultimate sacrifice God made for a world "crying for love from a broken heart" (John 3:16).
What makes Green's supplication so compelling is its raw honesty about personal inadequacy coupled with an absolute willingness. He sings, "Though there's really not that much I can do / What I have seems so small / But I want to give it all to you." This isn't a declaration of great ability, but rather profound humility and surrender. It’s a posture familiar to many biblical figures, from Moses feeling insufficient to speak (Exodus 4:10) to Jeremiah claiming to be too young (Jeremiah 1:6). Yet, God repeatedly uses the available, not necessarily the most capable, empowering them through His Spirit. Green’s sentiment aligns with the New Testament teaching that even the smallest offering, given completely, is significant in God's eyes, much like the widow's mite in Mark 12:41-44, demonstrating total devotion regardless of the perceived value.
The song then shifts to a poignant reflection on the lack of workers in God's vast spiritual harvest. "Oh Lord, you said the harvest was great / But Lord, looks like the workers are late / It's getting hard to understand / How they ignore your great command." This is a direct echo of Jesus's words in Matthew 9:37-38: "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Green's lyrics express a deep-seated spiritual urgency, a frustration with complacency, and a renewed personal commitment to answer the call, even when others hesitate. His heart hears the divine summons, compelling him to offer his all, irrespective of the fewness of others joining the effort.
The intensity of Green's commitment escalates into a profound desire for sacrificial service: "Oh, to reach the ones nobody does / Give up my pride and even work in the mud / I wanna be like those who spilled their blood / And gave it like water to you." This verse is a powerful declaration of radical discipleship. It calls to mind Jesus’s example of humility and service, washing His disciples' feet (John 13:14), and His teaching on taking up one’s cross daily (Matthew 16:24). "Working in the mud" signifies an embrace of the messy, unglamorous, and often difficult aspects of ministry, reflecting a genuine willingness to serve those on the margins, those overlooked by society and even by parts of the church, as Jesus did with the "least of these" (Matthew 25:40). The profound imagery of giving "blood" and pouring it out "like water" elevates the commitment to the level of ultimate sacrifice, recalling the steadfastness of martyrs who bore witness to their faith even unto death (Revelation 12:11, Hebrews 11:35-38). It's a yearning for a devotion so complete, so unconditional, that one holds nothing back from the Divine.
Through its raw and sincere delivery, "Here Am I, Send Me" transcends being merely a song; it functions as a spiritual challenge. It presses each listener to examine their own level of surrender, their availability to God’s calling, and their willingness to participate in His redemptive plan for a broken world. The repeated plea, "Lord won't you send me?" transforms from a simple request into a fervent declaration of readiness, a humble yet determined stance before the Creator, urging individuals to offer themselves entirely for the monumental task of bringing hope to those crying out for love.