As legendary singer/songwriter Johnny Cash sat in a jail cell, a jailer confronted Cash and told him he was wrecking the body God had put such talent in.
Cash had become addicted to amphetamines and barbiturates and drank heavily. Uppers kept Cash awake during his time on the road while touring. Barbiturates brought him down.
Cash was a man with strong Christian roots. The jailer's words deeply affected Cash. Soon after, Cash had a spiritual awakening. He felt God's presence, which he attributed to helping him climb out of his addictive hole.
Seven times in jail left Cash with a heart for those sentenced to prison.
Cash began using the talents God had given him to serve a prison ministry. After getting clean, Cash performed concerts in prisons, including the infamous San Quentin State Prison.
Two albums and several hits from his prison performances topped the music charts, including the smash hit "A Boy Named Sue."
The spiritual journey is more comprehensive than simply praying to God each Sunday.
The spiritual journey is a seven-day-a-week journey that begins with putting God at the center and traveling the path you were created to live.
This is not always easy. Following God's plan often calls us out of our comfort zones. It moves us in directions we aren't sure we want to go.
It's tempting to choose our path solely based on external goals such as money, power or status. God's plan is often countercultural and leads us out of the material world that surrounds us. It always involves some type of sacrifice.
The rewards, however, are great. Nonmaterial rewards often are. Think of some of the rewards: joy from getting out of self and helping another, peace from living with integrity and doing the right thing, love that bounces back to you as you love others.
What are your talents? You have incredible God-given talents to love and serve. Our world needs people like you.
Using your talents and living God's plan for your life will lead you into life in the Kingdom of God.
Chris Karcher is the author of "Relationships of Grace" and "Amazing Things I Know About You," available from www.relationshipsofgrace.com and 877-GET-GRACE (toll free). She can be reached at www.relationshipsofgrace.com.
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