with other amazing artists and songwriters are captured forever in CCLI ’ s YouTube library of video interviews . During that time , I was also privileged to write a number of articles for [ WM ].
My season at CCLI ended a few months before the pandemic . Right about then , a certain verse in Matthew 16 jumped off the page and both fascinated and perplexed me . I mulled it over for weeks . In Matthew 16:28 , Jesus says , “ Truly I say to you , there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom .” ( ESV )
What ? That was 2,000 years ago ! Intrigued , I researched every commentary and web article I could find . Most tried to rationalize it or pass it off as the Mount of Transfiguration experience in Matthew 17 . But that doesn ’ t fit the full context of what Jesus said — especially in Matthew 16:27 . In my research , no one even brought up the possibility of the miraculous . What if it ’ s really true ?
That ’ s the novel I set out to write . My central character , Envoy , was transformed by Jeshua at that moment , and his mission was to write a first-hand account of the Church - Jeshua ’ s Bride , in all her glory and shame - throughout the ages .
Envoy encounters many historical figures throughout this story , and here ’ s an excerpt from the moment when music captured his heart .
1825 AD I think it ’ s Spirit ’ s doing . My fascination with music had to come from the songs that Spirit has woven into this story . Also because He allowed me to see and hear both Mozart and Beethoven perform in person . I will say that the movie version of “ Amadeus ” is a slight exaggeration from reality , but not much .
I was particularly struck , however , seeing Beethoven perform near the end of his life , as his deafness was almost complete . At one point , the orchestra rested and Beethoven sat down at the harpsichord and began playing a solo arrangement of “ Ode To Joy .” Apparently to compensate for his near total deafness , he was playing the fragile keyboard way too hard . As the strings began to pop and snap all around him , he played on , undaunted , his face reflecting the joy of his own private moment of rhapsody with the Creator of all music .
I ’ ve also been a worship leader and worship team member for most of my life , so I know how draining the weekly routine can be . Add in all the mishaps , frustrations , disillusionments and heartless email critiques from congregants , and it ’ s no mystery why so many worship leaders eventually burn out . There are a number of ways to guard against this , but I think that Beethoven showed us one of the most important : private moments of rhapsody with the Creator of all music .
As you play and sing to just Him , He will affirm what He originally planted in your heart . No matter how many strings pop and snap .