God goes after the lost, the broken, the one who reaches out and desires a new life.
In recent days, one well-known musician has brought many into his journey of faith.
It’s been shocking to some, while others are celebrating his transformation.
But are we witnessing a genuine transformation in real time or is it all a publicity stunt?
There’s only one way to know.
Kanye West was born in 1977 into a non-traditional household.
At the age of three, his parents divorced and he split time between his mother and father.
A few years later, Kanye noticed an adult magazine on the table. It immediately affected him and began a struggle which would greatly affect how he saw the world.
At the age of 10, he began to be drawn into the world of hip-hop and soon befriended producer NO I.D. In 2001, he landed a big break and was given the opportunity in producing the Jay Z track.
Though this was successful, Kanye was not content being in the background. He tried to break into the industry, but didn’t fit the mold of most rappers.
As one producer wrote, “We all grew up street guys who had to do whatever we had to do to get by. Then there’s Kanye, who to my knowledge has never hustled a day in his life. I didn’t see how it could work.”
In 2002, record producer Damon Dash signed him to a label.
Then later that year, West was involved in a car accident that left him with a shattered jaw. While in the hospital, he was able to write a song that drew from this experience.
Through this experience and others, West dropped the album, The College Drop-Out.
This record brought great success to his career.
However, West experienced tragedy in 2007 when his mother died, and later that same year when he broke up with his fiancé.
This time in his life was marked by drinking and erratic behavior, the most famous of which was an outburst during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.
You probably saw it or heard about it later. While Taylor Swift was giving her acceptance speech for winning an award, West invaded the stage protesting the award going to Swift.
A year later, West would experience something that changed everything. One night he found himself being handcuffed and brought to a hospital.
Then in 2016, he was admitted for psychiatric observation at UCLA Medical Center.
It’s often in these moments where we’ve hit rock bottom that God chooses to move.
While in the hospital, West explains, “One of the things that happened when I went to the hospital, is I started reading the Bible I started writing and copying out Bible verses…”
In recent months, West has been hosting get-togethers called Sunday Services.
At Sunday Service, the music is predominantly gospel with an occasional sermon.
And just few days ago, Kanye released his newest album called Jesus is King with a cover full of scripture, love, and Christ!
Google Kanye West today and you’ll see a variety of articles discussing his newly-found Christian faith.
Many are skeptical, but most are supportive and hopeful.
It’s hard sometimes to see the kind of transformation that’s only possible with God and believe it is genuine.
Some take delight in Kanye’s services, others questions his authenticity. Some see his story and wonder if it’s all just a publicity stunt. Is he doing this to make money, sell albums, and keep himself in the entertainment headlines?
Only time will tell.
But the Lord says we will know them by their fruits.
Already, West has taken a stand for traditional family values, while coming out against abortion and pornography. These are values that will surely not make him more popular in the world, yet he is taking them anyways.
And it was recently reported that 1,000 people accepted Christ at one of his concerts.
So let’s wait and pray. But in the waiting, we rejoice for the one who has been found!
