Years ago, Maribeth and I traveled with a musical team that represented Clearwater Christian College at churches, schools, and camps throughout the summer. One of the songs I performed as duet with my friend Jesse was based on Isaiah’s response to God’s call in Isaiah 6:8: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”

My friend and I sang it day after day. First, for weeks of practices to prepare. Then a typical day on tour might include a school chapel in the morning and a church service somewhere else in the evening. Mix in practices just to stay sharp as we traveled toward Colorado, and I could practically sing it in my sleep.

Somewhere along the way we strayed from the lyrics in one of our rehearsals. Instead of the proper, biblical response (and the title of the song!) we would sing, “Here am I Lord, send Jesse.” Of course, he would substitute my name in that place.

Our musical director would grin, laugh graciously, and wait for us to be serious again and continue. To be fair, she had also been my fourth-grade teacher, so I imagine she knew what to expect from me at 21 years old. When the travel became tedious and our minds grew tired, we would break out our revised version just for a laugh.

Obviously, the song means something entirely different when we substitute our lyrics for Isaiah’s actual response. When the prophet hears God’s call, his answer is swift and reveals a surrendered heart.

“Here am I, Lord. Send ME!”

Unfortunately, our song revision is too familiar for many of us. We see God moving and hear Him calling, yet grow uncomfortable thinking that it might require our response of change and obedience. We know what needs to be done, but excuse ourselves from responsibility. We quickly look around for another to substitute in our place. We talk about what we’ll do next time. We compromise or barter with God. Anything but simple surrender.

We must ask ourselves, “Do we truly want to be formed into the image of Christ?” If so, what are we willing to do? Are we pleading for God to change us or just to alter our circumstances? As we continue to study how we grow into the image of Christ, let us consider what it will require of us. If all of our learning is simply an exercise in academics, what ultimate purpose does it serve? When God instructs His children, He does so for the purpose of shaping us. Drawing us toward a response. Encouraging our obedience. Soliciting surrendered hearts.