The End Is Where We Begin is the sixth studio album by Canadian rock band Thousand Foot Krutch, released this past April. Vocalist Trevor McNevan has stated, "The record is some of the heaviest stuff we've done and some of the lightest." 

 

The band's new-found independence may have affected the tone of the new album, as McNevan explained the new songs are more aggressive in nature: "Without trying, this record has a very militant theme to it, with songs like "War Of Change" and "Courtesy Call" painting more of a visual for that. There's an urgency to it and I think the timing feels right. This record's heart can be summed up by ‘Be The Change.'"

 

I had the great opportunity to interview Trevor McNevan right after his appearance at Creation Northeast about the personal song, "Be Somebody."

 

 

This one still gives me chills. It was the first song written for the new record. I had been trying to hone in on what this record should sound like, what it should feel like, etc, and I started to get frustrated. I was shooting in 10 different directions and wasn't happy with my shots. I remember going out to the deck, pulling my hair out, and looking up at the stars, and just crying out to God, wondering why I was feeling this way, why the uncertainty in direction. 

 

I'm blessed to not be very acquainted with "writer's block;" [inspiration] seems to never stop coming. I give God all the glory for that and am grateful, although it's sometimes very annoying when I can't shut it off! I remember hearing God say, "Go back," so I went inside and pulled out our first two independent albums. 

 

I remember listening to "Small Town" and "Lift It" again for the first time in years, and was standing there in tears. God's anointing was still on those songs. I needed to get my head out of "what makes a great song," and just write from the heart. I shared this with my wife, and she said, "Why don't you write about this? About how the Holy Spirit speaks to you and how you feel right now." It hit me like a brick. So I went upstairs and sat down with an acoustic for the rest of the night and wrote this song. This song is as honest as it gets.

 

Do you have any personal application regarding your walk as a Christian in writing the song?  

 

Absolutely, man. This song for me is very much having my heart on my sleeve. It was born after being frustrated with working on new songs and feeling like something wasn't right. I was on my back deck and talking to God, and felt in my heart that he was telling me to let Him give me a song. This is the song that happened from that experience. It was totally God's anointing. God reminded me that relying on Him is enough. It was a great reminder to let the Holy Spirit speak through me.

 

Proverbs 22:4: "By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life."

 

…Proverbs 21:21: "He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor."

 

...and Romans 12:14-16: "Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody."

 

 

To me, this is a love song to my Savior. It is very personal to me. I think that's the best way I can put my heart into words. My favorite lyrics on the entire album are: "So when they say they don't believe, I hope that they see You and me." God blessed me with that truth, and hopefully that will also speak to someone else. 

 

As a guy, I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't take a lot of time to internalize. I spend a lot of time with God and life is busy, but I don't spend a lot of time in self-reflection. This song is a bit of both self-reflection and reflecting on God. The song is taking a look inside like in the opening lyrics: "I'm just the boy inside the man, not exactly who you think I am." When you do what we do as a band you can be put on a pedestal but really when I look at myself I see down deep inside that I want to have a childlike faith, please God and do the right thing. I end up stepping in the same holes quite often, so I want to be open and honest with myself and with God.

 

 

Matthew Henry's commentary: "We must both do justly and love mercy, and must proceed and persevere therein; and, though we cannot attain to perfection, yet it will be a comfort to us if we aim at it and follow after it. What will be the advantage of doing so: Those that do follow after righteousness shall find righteousness; God will give them grace to do good, and they shall have the pleasure and comfort of doing it; those that make conscience of being just to others shall have the pleasure and comfort of doing it; those that make conscience of being just to others shall be justly dealt with by others and others shall be kind to them."

 

The highest expression of wisdom is trusting in God rather than in our own knowledge. Knowledge concerning your own ethical behavior from God's perspective takes precedent over your own insight. By following the Lord, your moral life will be straight. Both Solomon's and Paul's writings in Proverbs and Romans touch on this theme of humility and a proper fear of the Lord. There is not a greater enemy to the fear of God in our hearts than conceitedness of our own wisdom. That seems to be more and more prevalent in today's society. Rather than rely on God's wisdom we all want to "be somebody." As Trevor touched on in writing this song, it took complete submission to God and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in his heart to give him this song. 

 

I really enjoy how "Be Somebody" leads me to the Throne Room in praising God with the sincere and confessional lyrics:"You're the only One who knows, who I really am." Amen!

 

(You can watch the lyrics video of this song here.)