Bob Dylan Sang...

During my senior year in high school, I got a job at a local restaurant, called Hodel’s located at the local Fashion Center. This establishment was a buffet-style restaurant with various salads, meats, side dishes and desserts. I started out as a busboy, and then was promoted to pot washer, and then finally graduated to line server. A line server is one who serves at the call of the chef and restocks “the line” with whatever entrees were needed. My boss was the chef and I was his servant. 

To serve one must be near the one giving the directions and then follow those desires. The great “theologian” Bob Dylan sang this song on his album Slow Train Coming: “But you're gonna have to serve somebody, Well, it may be the Devil or it might be the Lord. But you're gonna have to serve somebody.”

Some might think that by choosing for themselves and living unto themselves, that it’s fair play and middle ground. No harm, no foul. But the truth is, we either live to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, or the prince of this world, the enemy. When Satan tempted Jesus to bow down and worship and he would give him the kingdoms of this world, Jesus replied, “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ”

Our Savior makes it very clear, giving us an example to follow. “You must worship the Lord and serve him only!” There is not another option. When you are dealing with temptation and accusations from the enemy of your soul, take those shadowy thoughts captive to Christ. Arrest the condemning chatter and tell that liar that you worship, love and serve the Lord God only!  Be brave and use the insights found in this scripture to fight and defeat the enemy’s challenge. And remember that these tough moments are allowed because your Father is strengthening your spiritual muscles. It could be that your path is harder because your future is to go higher.