Living in Guatemala and only having internet for a few hours each weekend has been such a blessing. It allows me to be fully present each day in ministry with my team. However, one of the setbacks is being behind with pop-culture. For instance, Iphone released a new model, the Kylie Jenner meme (and all memes in general), the new Starbucks creamer, Disney plus, and probably many more that I don’t even know that I don’t know.
However, one thing that did not go swiftly over the heads of squad W was Kanye West’s album release “Jesus is King.” Mo anticipated the album release for weeks before it went live insuring that our whole squad would be ready for the new record. Immediately when the album dropped controversy arose. I saw people post reasons why they did or didn’t support the album and seemingly radical change in Kanye’s life. I could only image what was going on in the states if it was a big deal even in Guatemala.
Whatever the reasons people had for disliking his ‘radical transformation’ I couldn’t help but feel like Kanye’s story was all too relatable for one of Jesus’ Apostles.
Originally Saul, he ruled Israel with a dedication to persecuting the early disciples of Jesus until the Lord told a disciple named Ananias to look for a man named Saul and lay his hands on him as Saul had seen in a vision. Saul’s reputation was known around the area for being one of terror and evil towards Jesus’ followers, but in obedience, Ananias goes to Saul and does as the Lord says. Immediately the Holy Spirit descends on Saul and he rises and is baptized (Acts 9).
Immediately the next day he was declaring the name of Jesus, “He is the son of God” (Acts 9:20) But also immediately after that, people immediately questioned his loyalty, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon his name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests.” (Acts 9:21) It is easy to read the story and be judgmental towards the pedestrians for not believing in Saul’s conversion, but when we look in the mirror we see the same pedestrians staring right back at us.
In the church, we constantly pray for radical transformation in the lives of those around us and in the World, yet when it actually happens people immediately jump to the defense of the gospel, “Kanye isn’t a good representative for the church, look at his past!”
The first thing that strikes me is how we believe we represent the church any better than Kanye, The fact that he is declaring Jesus Christ as king is a victory for the kingdom – we are all sinners, but the Lord doesn’t see us that way, he sees us as his sons and daughters, not at what our background is or what kind of job we have or what our past looks like – all of that is left at the cross.
The second thing that strikes me is the fact that we think Jesus needs defending – what a notion that the God of the universe who saves SOULS needs defending?! We are called to know Jesus and to make him known by the love that he has shown us, not defend the gospel, the way we live our lives as an example of Jesus Christ should be enough.
Although Kanye’s transformation was on a national scale, we should be praying for radical change like that for our states, our cities, our government officials, our families!
We should rejoice in others coming to Jesus, not condescend them for ‘not knowing enough’ or ‘not acting good enough for the church’ all of that comes through sanctification and falling deeper in love with the father.
Have you ever looked at a radically transformed believer and immediately doubted their revelation? If so, repent and ask God to reveal in your heart why you thought that.
Are you praying for lives to be radically changed on a large scale because of the good news Jesus Christ brings? Do you believe he can actually do it? How can you be more fervent about interceding for the lives of others around you to know Jesus. Is there anyone you need to celebrate for accepting Christ as Lord and savior??
If you feel led, share your ideas in the comments below!! I would love to hear who you’re celebrating && how you have been able to see Jesus in others around you. I would also love to partner with you in interceding for radical change in those around us!! Let me know how I can be praying for you.
Bumping-to-kanye-at-five-AM,
El
