He stepped up to the microphone to do what he did best – sing a heartfelt song he’d written. How many hundreds of times had he done this exact thing? But this time was different. He couldn’t know for sure, but he just had a feeling it could be his last chance to share his voice with the world. He could have said no, backed out … but there was no way he was passing up this opportunity.

As many of you know, Country Music Legend Toby Keith finally made it home to heaven on Feb. 5, 2024, after a years-long battle with stomach cancer. The scene above depicts his final televised performance at the People’s Choice Country Awards in September 2023. After receiving the Country Music Icon Award, he played an achingly wistful song called “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” I can’t listen to this song without tearing up.

What a brave, talented, fearless, patriotic soul our country has lost this week, but there’s one aspect about Toby Keith that stands out to me as his most influential of all — his faith in Jesus Christ.

In his final interview before he passed away, Toby shared details about his cancer battle and what sustained him through it all. In classic Toby fashion, he didn’t hesitate to share his faith and the peace that God blessed him with, no matter his circumstances.

“I was going through all the chemo, radiation, surgery, and I got to the point where I was comfortable with whatever happened. I had my brain wrapped around it, and I was in a good spot either way. People without faith don’t have that.”

Toby Keith

Wow … you can’t be more direct (or correct) than that.

There’s not many public figures I know of today, especially in the entertainment industry, who would have the guts to say something like that on air, but I’m not surprised Toby was the one to say it. He was always his own person and did what he believed was right throughout his whole 30-year career in Country music, even when it wasn’t the popular or politically correct choice. I think that’s one reason he is so beloved by his fans to this day and why he is so sorely missed.

Another striking aspect of Toby’s life that I’m inspired by is that he never gave up on his God-given calling, even to the very end. In December 2023, just two months before his passing, he played three sold-out shows in Las Vegas. But he didn’t just endure it – he enjoyed it! Through all the pain and trauma his body had been through, he still took the stage and delivered the performance of a lifetime with a smile on his face and joy in his heart. Why? Because it’s what he was born to do.

There’s only one explanation, one source that could give Toby supernatural strength like that – and that’s God’s perfect peace that surpasses understanding.

I’m not going to lie – you couldn’t wipe the smile off my 11-year old face every time I listened to “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” and waited for the iconic “put a boot in your a$$” line to come through the radio speakers. I’ll never forget that memory.

But now that I’ve witnessed how Toby remained courageous, faithful and filled with joy to his dying day, I’m going to remember him even more as a golden example of trusting in God’s plan and clinging to the truth, even in a corrupt industry that’s caving in on itself and straying from its traditional moral roots.

Well done, Toby, good and faithful servant. We’re really going to miss you, but we’re thankful you’re now enjoying your eternal rewards in heaven.