“For when I am weak,
2 Corinthians 12:10
then I am strong.”
syn•co•pa•tion
noun
1. the practice of displacing rhythmic accents so that strong beats become weak and weak become strong
2. a disturbance or interruption of the regular flow
The nature of syncopation is that of being “off-beat” or a “disruption,” much like followers of Christ who’ve been called out of the world into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
In humility and brokenness, a true follower’s life is a life of syncopation …
“… and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong … so that no man may boast before God.”
-1 Cor 1:27-29
“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.”
-Isaiah 40:29
… and disruption:
“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too”
-Acts 17:6
From an earthly perspective, believers are contrary and out of phase. We’re not keeping step to the world’s accents because we’re following a different Drummer whose pattern is strange and unfamiliar (1 Cor 2:14). Yet, in weakness and difficulties, we press forward to the Spirit’s cadence (Gal 5:25), longing to share with others the miracle we have received, the Gospel, the Good News – the way of forgiveness and new life!
As people of faith who create, we, like our Creator God, aim to bring newness of life and share His love, beauty, magnificence, and truth in everything we craft. That is especially who this site is meant for—creatives.
This site reflects a journey of aspirations, dreams, and trials to discover and live out my purpose, God’s plan, and His promises. I don’t claim to have arrived, but His faithfulness has shown me I’ve been living His purpose all along the way—by simply being myself according to His design and grace.
Thus, this blog serves as a declaration – this is me. This is who I am and have always been: a sanctified, musical soul, by design. By His grace, I live as a composer, arranger, instructor, and performer in jazz, gospel, and soul/R&B. I’m not driven by fame or profit but by what I can’t see …
… while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
– 2 Cor 4:18
As confirmation, I’m happiest when doing things only my heavenly Father takes notice of, which the world might dismiss because it views them as weak and out of step.
Hence the title “Syncopated Soul.”
I hope readers feel a calling and purpose that’s unique and doesn’t fit the world’s mold, whether or not they’re creative. I pray that what’s found here inspires them to live out their design for His glory. My own expression is in music, which brings me joy as it serves my Savior. C. S. Lewis captures this sentiment: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”
Perhaps you, too, feel syncopated to another world.
Yet through it all, let’s not forget we’re just dust (Psa 103:14), created in Christ Jesus according to His design for good works (Eph 2:10). To paraphrase missionary Eric Liddell, “God made me play and compose and create well …, and when I do those things, I feel His pleasure.”
Therefore, there’s no boast,
… He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
– 2 Cor 12:9-10
–Marc Joseph
Last modified: August 19, 2025
