How Johnny Cash’s Faith in God Shaped His Life. He Never Gave Up.
Whether its drugs, alcohol, lawlessness, or even the death of someone, Cash did not lose faith in God. He is a testament to the power of faith and how it can get people through even the worst of circumstances.
Trust in God’s Word
Johnny Cash’s upbringing taught him regard for family, the earth, God, and truth. He became a Christian at the age of twelve.
Cash was unconcerned about denominations, despite his Baptist/Pentecostal upbringing. He also put his complete trust in God’s Word.
Throughout his life, he strongly desires to live according to Jesus’ Gospel.
“The Gospel of Christ must always be an open door with a welcome sign for all.”
Popularity and the Dangers of Temptation
Popularity, fame’s peaks, and the rigors of his career provided him with many temptations and challenges.
He’d be able to see the depths of his drug and alcohol addiction. Cash recognized himself in the men behind the jail.
Several run-ins with the law only exacerbated his predicament. Cash firmly believed in rehabilitative justice and argued that prisoners could be rehabilitated.
The Folsom Prison Concert
Johnny Cash, widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century, performed two gigs inside Folsom Prison in California on January 13, 1968.
It was a fitting choice for a performer known as a bit of an outlaw, with a penchant for dark apparel earning him the moniker “The Man in Black.”
Cash’s career was revitalized due to the concerts and the record that resulted, At Folsom Prison. In a 1973 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, he said the following:
“That’s when things really started for me again.”
What the Folsom Concert Meant to Cash
Cash saw the Folsom concert as a chance to make amends. He underwent treatment in the fall of 1967 after vowing to stop using narcotics.
Years passed as he attempted to keep his word. He later admitted to taking many medications the morning of the show, but the pledge was necessary to keep June Carter from leaving him.
She fought valiantly to keep him away from amphetamines.
The Prisoner’s Song
Cash agreed to play two shows at Folsom and was picky about the songs he wanted to hear.
He visited with his friend, Rev. Floyd Gressett, who ministered to state prisoners on the eve of the event.
Gressett gave Cash a tape of Glen Sherley’s song “Greystone Chapel,” which he wrote and recorded while incarcerated at Folsom.
Cash decided to perform the song the next day after listening to it.
The lyrics, as well as Sherley’s life narrative, gave me hope. He served a five-year term after being arrested for armed robbery.
“Inside the walls of prison, my body may be, but the Lord has set my soul free.”
Cash Supports a Prisoner Named Sherley
Cash was so enthralled with Sherley’s narrative and songwriting abilities that he later requested that he be released from prison.
In 1971, Cash even arranged for a small record business to record Sherley’s jail concert, making it easier for officials to trust Cash when he indicated he would offer him a job if he were paroled.
Big Trouble on the Concert Tour
Following Sherley’s release, he kept his word and invited him to tour.
During the tour, however, Sherley became increasingly unstable, even threatening a significant member of Cash’s band.
When Cash found out, he dismissed Sherley, who returned to California and relapsed into drug addiction.
Cash is Devastated
Sherley committed suicide on May 11, 1978. Cash was devastated by the news. Some chastised him for his bad judgment, and suspicions circulated that he didn’t write “Greystone Chapel” at all.
Many people would not have taken a chance on Sherley, but Cash did.
Grace, Forgiveness, and Faith
Cash was well aware that grace and forgiveness were demands from God, and he didn’t take them lightly.
He could look at his own life and see that he was a sinner who needed God’s compassion and kindness.
Taking a chance on Sherley was not just a nice gesture but also a profound expression of his faith.
Cash is a Popular Crusader
Evangelist Billy Graham, who sought out Cash in the early 1970s after hearing of his commitment to God, was another significant impact on Cash.
Cash immediately established himself as a popular character in Billy Graham Crusades.
Cash recounted his first encounters with Graham in person with the following statement:
“He told me to keep singing ‘Folsom Prison Blues,’ ‘A Boy Named Sue,’ and all those other outlaw songs if that’s what people wanted to hear, and then give it everything I had when it came time to record a gospel song.” “I put my heart and soul into whatever I do.”
Unshakable Faith in God
Cash may have battled his problems and had his faults highlighted by the media, but his faith was something few could deny.
Observers were often astounded by Cash’s grace in the face of legions of forces working against him. Nothing could shake his faith in God.
Staying Positive Near the End
Despite bouts with diabetes, glaucoma, asthma, and a persistent, debilitating case of autonomic nephropathy that restricted Cash to a wheelchair for most of his waking hours, the Man in Black was anything but depressed in his dying days.
He was savoring his life and his savior while he could.
Cash told Larry King the following:
“I’m delighted to death with life.” “Life is merely a plate, the way God has given it to me.” There was a golden plate of life in front of me. It’s been lovely.”
Conclusion
Drugs and alcohol addictions are horrible in many ways. Johnny Cash proved a person could get through nearly anything with a strong faith in God.
Cash inspires those who deal with severe adversities of all kinds.
There is an important lesson to be learned from Johnny. God will give you the strength and ability to deal with anything in life if you have faith in him.
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