The Puerto Rican rapper named Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, better known as “Daddy Yankee,” announced during a Sunday concert in Puerto Rico and in posts on social media that he has decided to give up his music career in order to devote his life to Jesus Christ and spread the Gospel.
Speaking on his decision during the concert, Rodriquez described it as a new chapter in his life that would let him lead others to the faith and ignite in others the fire of the Holy Spirit that lives in him. He said, “Tonight I recognize and am not ashamed to tell the whole world that Christ lives in me and that I will live for Him. This is the end of one chapter and the beginning of a brand new one.”
Also during his speech, Rodriguez noted that he has looked for years on how to find purpose in life and fill the spiritual hole in his heart, but kept feeling like something was missing: “For many years, I’ve tried filling a void in my life that no one could fill. I tried finding a purpose, on many occasions it seemed as if I was happy, but something was missing for me to feel complete,” he said.
Continuing, he noted that he finally realized that what was missing was not some material thing or career success, but rather the light of Christ. He said, “I have to confess that those days are over and someone was able to fill that void that I felt for a lot of time. I realized that for everyone I was someone, but I was no one without Him.”
He then noted that he had immense worldly success but realized it wasn’t important compared to the Christian faith, as Jesus says in Matthew. Making that point, he said, “Throughout the years, I was able to travel the world, win many awards, applause, and praise, but I realized something that’s in the Bible: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
And, thanking the crowd and encouraging the members of the audience to follow Christ, he said, “A chapter has ended but a new one will begin. All the tools that I have in my power, like music, social media, platforms, a microphone, everything that God has given me is now for his kingdom. Thank you, Puerto Rico, and I hope you walk with me in this new beginning and I hope you remember something very important: Don’t follow any person. I am human. To all the people who follow me, follow Jesus Christ, he’s the way, the truth, and the life.” Watch him here:
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In his post on Instagram about his decision, Rodriguez wrote, “Family: This day for me, is the most important day in my life.. tonight I recognize and am not ashamed to tell the whole world that Christ lives in me and that I will live for him. This is the end of one chapter and the beginning of a brand new one.”
He then quoted the Gospel of Matthew, saying, “‘For what good is it for a man to gain the whole world, if he loses his life? Or how much can a man pay for his life? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father and with his angels, and then he will reward each one according to what he has done.’ St. Matthew 16: 26 – 27 Amen ❤️”
Featured image credit: By Al Vazquez – Vimeo: 2009 Billboard Awards Red Carpet (view archived source), CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89102761