Back in the college years of after God found Timothy and I, we found an amazing artist named, Matisyahu. Some of you might have heard of him, others not. He grew up in a Jewish background, and used to write some really powerful songs about God. They really inspired us about twenty years ago. Here are some of the lyrics from some of his most popular song, “King without a Crown”:
You’re all that I have and you’re all that I need
Each and every day I pray to get to know you please
I want to be close to you, yes I’m so hungry
You’re like water for my soul when it gets thirsty
Without you there’s no me
You’re the air that I breathe
Hashem’s rays fire blaze burn bright and I believe
Out of darkness comes light, twilight unto the heights
Crown Heights burnin’ up all through till midnight
Said, thank you to my God, now I finally got it right
And I’ll fight with all of my heart, and all a’ my soul, and all a’ my might
What’s this feeling?
My love will rip a hole in the ceiling
Givin’ myself to you from the essence of my being
Sing to my god all these songs of love and healing
Strip away the layers and reveal your soul
Got to give yourself up and then you become whole
You’re a slave to yourself and you don’t even know
You want to live the fast life but your brain moves slow
If you’re trying to stay high then you’re bound to stay low
You want God but you can’t deflate your ego
If you’re already there then there’s nowhere to go
If you’re cup’s already full then its bound to overflow
If you’re drowning in the water’s and you can’t stay afloat
Ask Hashem for mercy and he’ll throw you a rope
You’re looking for help from God you say he couldn’t be found
Looking up to the sky and searchin’ beneath the ground
Like a King without his Crown
Yes, you keep fallin’ down
You really want to live but can’t get rid of your frown
Tried to reach unto the heights and wound bound down on the ground
Given up your pride and the you heard a sound
Out of night comes day and out of day comes light
Nullified to the One like sunlight in a ray,
Makin’ room for his love and a fire gone blaze
Makin’ room for his love and a fire gone blaze
A few weeks ago, I learned that Matisyahu was going to be performing at a concert about an hour north of us. I asked Timothy if he wanted to go, and he said yes. Now, let me explain something, he is not a Christian artist, he’s a secular artist. We didn’t make this decision lightly as we were going to bring our kids and knew there was going to be drinking and other things that might not be appropriate for them. It was definitely risky, but we made the decision that if we had conviction to go, we would leave. We go there and immediately didn’t want to be in the crowd as people were smoking as well. Thankfully, we found a spot on the side of the stage, where there was no crowd at all, and we could see the band perfectly and closely. As we started listening to his music, we started to become sad for him. He really has a gift, but the problem is, is that He doesn’t know God as His personal Savoir. He now still sings, but without the zeal and passion he once had. It seems like he’s lost his way and just didn’t look happy. There seemed to be little life left in him. We wanted a chance to talk to him about God, but just of course didn’t get a chance.
There was a greater reason for us being there, not just going to a music concert of an artist we enjoy, but it happened more at the end of the night, around 11PM. These two guys saw our spot and decided to join us. We hit it off immediately and knew it was God instantly. One was in the middle of a divorce, while the other just had lost a parent to COVID. They were both broken, yet so open to God. We told them we were in missions/ministry and just talked to them about God. It was a beautiful moment, in the end, they asked us to pray with them and we exchanged numbers to stay in touch. God moved and it was such an amazing testimony, especially for our kids. Do we ever go to secular concerts? No, this was the first one in over twenty years. Would I recommend going and taking kids? Not normally, but in this instance, we were led by Holy Spirit, and He used it. We were able to meet two incredible people and know we will be reaching out to them in the future. During the entire concert, I kept thinking to myself, should we really be here? And then God showed up at the end and answered my question. We are in the world, but not of it and as long as the situation doesn’t bring us down or cause us to sin, and we are intentionally praying for those divine moments, I believe it’s ok. Christianity is not a religion, its a relationship that needs to be led by Holy Spirit. Next time, He might whisper don’t go, and we obey. This is why its absolutely essential to be led by Him and know His voice, so that we don’t make bad choices for us or our children.
I hope this story inspires you seek opportunities to talk to people about the living God and give them a fresh breath of Jesus, because in the end, He is the answer to every problem, some people just don’t have that revelation yet, but lets pray that we are a part of that in being obedient to be sensitive to those opportunities, you might (with God) save someones life that day!