Breakout country music sensation Oliver Anthony, singer of “Rich Men North of Richmond,” made an appearance on the hit podcast The Joe Rogan Experience. In the podcast, Anthony talked about his inspirational story about his faith in God and how that faith led to him turning his life around into what it is now.
In the inspirational podcast where Anthony shared his journey in Faith, he revealed to fans that he chose to hand his life over to God just one month before he became a viral sensation and talk of the country music industry. While it was just a small part of the multiple hours long podcast, this short except is a message that has far outshined the rest of the interview.
Talking about the journey that he took in the lead up to his smash hit, Anthony told Rogan, “I’m telling you, again… I’m not anybody special, and I’m certainly not here to preach to anybody… but coming from somebody who was just in a really f—ed up place, and I used that word with discretion, but it just describes where I was. That guy found a lot of peace from it.”
Anthony talked about his life in the past, which was filled with anxiety and depression and a constant lack of hope that obscured all of his dreams. While he tried many ways to break free from that negative mindset, the only real relief that he ever found came in the form of Jesus Christ. Through his belief, Anthony was able to break free from his chains and strive to do something with his life.
He offered a metaphor for that hopelessness that perfectly illuminated the way he was feeling. “I just felt hopeless,” Anthony said, “like almost the way a child feels hopeless when you can’t find your parent or something. Like a 4-year-old who can’t find his parents, I didn’t have anything left in me.”
Finally, Anthony made his plea to God, promising to turn away his sinful habits. “I just decided right then and there, I know I can’t do this anymore, but I know there are things I need to do. I just told God, let me do it and I’ll give all this s— up. I’ll give up the weed, and I’ll quit getting drunk, and I’ll quit being so angry about things… and I’ll start over again and make Him the focus and not me.”
While Anthony has already inspired many to know that they can find success while speaking out against the government and it’s constant profiteering, Anthony is also sharing a message that Faith truly can save. He is using his platform in a gracious way, giving credit to the One who really deserves it most.
All we can hope is that more and more stars, in the country music industry and beyond, use their already great platforms to continue to spread the message of Christianity to those who have not yet been properly exposed to the beauty and freedom that comes along with an eternity with Jesus Christ.
The featured image is from an embedded YouTube video.
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