I never was a big Johnny Cash fan, that is, until my dad died. You see, my dad died 9/9/03. Three days later Johnny Cash passed away. My dad was as big of a country music fan as God ever created, and my tastes ran toward his. I grew up listening to Hank Williams, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Conway and Loretta and later Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Hank, Jr., and others in the "outlaw" movement. But never Johnny Cash. While going through my dad's immense record and CD collection after his death, I noticed how he had really become a fan of "the man in black," and I began to listen to his music and truly appreciate his talent. So it was with great interest I noticed that on the Biography channel tonight, it's entire prime time schedule is devoted to this man of great contradictions.
Cash was a truly gifted artist. He fell prey to the same battles many stars do; drugs, alcohol and marital infidelity, yet he was also a very devout Christian. Anyone who has seen the excellent biographical movie about Cash, "Walk the Line," saw this battle that clearly raged for years inside of this man. Many may ask, how can someone who clearly loves Jesus find themselves so far from Him for much of their life? Well, Cash's life is an excellent example of what it means to be a "backslidden," and later, a restored Christian.
You see, the bible teaches us that we have 3 enemies in this life. They are the world, the flesh and the devil. But it is the flesh that is the real enemy for us, as it is the one we can exercise control over. We cannot control how the devil will use the world to tempt us. The bible tells us that the world is Satan's domain, that he is indeed the "prince of this world." As we look around at the world it is as full of temptation as it has ever been, and if you listen to the siren's call of the world, it will tell you to ignore the teachings of God, as it's perfectly fine to do as the world says is permissible.
It is then that we fall to temptation, and live in the flesh, instead of the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-17 tells us, "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." Any objective look at the life of Johnny Cash reveals that this is exactly the path he took many times: he fell to temptation and the lusts of the flesh, neglecting, and thus "grieving" and "quenching" the power of the Holy Spirit that lived within him.
Cash's faith was always present, even when he was in a drug induced haze or pursuing a woman(June Carter) he would later have a Christian marriage with, while still married to another woman. But Cash, like many of us, fell from fellowship and a close walk with God and became vulnerable to temptation and the lusts of the flesh. Cash later confessed his sins and repented, and experienced the forgiveness only Jesus can give. He kicked his drug habit and properly married June Carter. For the last 25+ years of his life he maintained a strong testimony regarding Christ and confessed Him openly, and unashamed, in spite of the lifelong battles he fought. Cash's life was a powerful witness to us as to how we can fall, and how we can be restored.
Cash was a friend of the disenfranchised, much like Jesus. It was said of our Lord, He was a "friend of sinners." Johnny Cash reached out to criminals in prison, native Americans, fellow drug addicts and many more, treating them like human beings rather than second class citizens. His music was edgy, and controversial, as it dealt with politically incorrect subjects. I've truly grown to appreciate his recordings from prisons such as "Johnny Cash From Folsom Prison" or his covers of such different artists like "Nine Inch Nails" later in life. He spoke from his heart to things that touched his heart. But my favorite Cash moments are generated from a different arena.
I'm not a big fan of the Trinity Broadcasting Network, but I tune in most every Saturday night at 10:00 PM. At this time they re-broadcast old Billy Graham crusades from over the last 60 years. And guess who was a close friend and a regular part of the music with Billy Graham at many of these wonderful crusades? Of course, it's Johnny Cash, usually accompanied by his beloved wife June. It's here you saw what was really important to Cash. His faith. It was his faith that allowed him to overcome his flesh. It was his faith that led to to peace and joy in his life. Johnny Cash is a wonderful example to us of how we can overcome our enemies. Sure glad my dad became a fan!
No comments:
Post a Comment