This guy is amazing!
Jihoon Kim used to go by the rapper name Exflosive and thought he wanted to a professional rapper and music producer. So he was surprised when he first felt God calling him to the priesthood.
“I thought that I was unworthy to be called to priestly vocation,” Kim told ChurchPOP, “and I was scared to accept his calling. However, through a series of prayers and discernments, I was affirmed about my priestly vocation.”
Since entering seminary for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, he says he’s found true joy and is filled with a deep sense of gratitude.
Which actually brought him back to rap. At seminary, he felt called to share how grateful he is to God with a new song titled “Thank You.”
As you watch it, one thing that comes through particularly strong is the sense that he really believes what he’s rapping, that God really has touched his life in a deep and serious way.
The YouTube video is below, followed by the lyrics. You can also download the song on SoundCloud and follow him on Instagram.
Here’s the music video (lyrics below):
Lyrics to “Thank You” by Jihoon Kim:
Verse 1
I was trapped in the darkness
I couldn’t see where the light is
I was lost in the maze route
I tried to find my way out
My life was pitch black, I was walking through a dark tunnel
I thought I will never see the Sun shine, nocturnal
I felt abandoned but I didn’t ask for help
I said I’m gonna make it through all by myself
But it was pride in disguise
Cuz I wanted no one else to see the pain in my eyes
I kept my head up, but fear resides deep inside
I kept on falling every single time that I tried
So I said this is it, I’m done with it
At any given minute I was gonna call it quit
But I felt the hands picking me up
He told me not to be afraid and lifted me up
Chorus
I thank you for your beautiful love
I thank you for your unconditional love
How can I ever repay the love you’ve been showing me
There is no any other words to say but thank you (x2)
Verse 2
I locked my heart up, I refused to keep it open
In cold blood my heart was frozen
But you brought light to my soul so my ego I let it go
My Lord and my God, I’m here so just let me know
The path that you have planned for me
I will put everything down so put that cross on me
I’m done with paper chasing, you are the one and only
That my heart desires Lord, You showed me
The vision that transcends my finite mind
The eternity that transcends my finite time
That’s why I keep on crying out loud
That you are my Lord and you are my God
You restore to me the gladness of your salvation
You always pour out grace and mercy so amazing
So how can I ever stop praising your glorious name my Lord.
Chorus
I thank you for your beautiful love
I thank you for your unconditional love
How can I ever repay the love you’ve been showing me
There is no any other words to say but thank you (x2)
Verse 3
You lifted me up when I was at my lowest
You gave me hope when I was lost and hopeless
Now that I found you, you are the center of focus
I want everybody in this world to know this
You are the King of kings the Lord of lords
With your heavenly grace you reign over all
I love you God with all my mind, body and soul
I will not stop this even when my body turns cold
Chorus
I thank you for your beautiful love
I thank you for your unconditional love
How can I ever repay the love you’ve been showing me
There is no any other words to say but thank you (x2)
Say a prayer for him and his fellow seminarians!
[See also: There’s a Twitter Account “Augustine of Hiphop” & It’s As Amazing As It Sounds]
[See also: Taking His Christian Faith to Mainstream Hip Hop: Meet “Chance the Rapper”]