The One You Serve

“God money, I'll do anything for you

God money, just tell me what you want me to

God money, nail me up against the wall

God money, don't want everything, he wants it all

No, you can't take it

No, you can't take it

No, you can't take that away from me

God money's not looking for the cure

God money's not concerned about the sick among the pure

God money, let's go dancing on the backs of the bruised

God money's not one to choose

No, you can't take it

No, you can't take it

No, you can't take that away from me

Head like a hole, black as your soul

I'd rather die than give you control

Head like a hole, black as your soul

I'd rather die than give you control

Bow down before the one you serve

You're going to get what you deserve” 

– Trent Reznor

in 1990, “Head Like a Hole” by Nine Inch Nails was like an anthem to me when I was in first year University. Somewhere in the years that followed I either forgot the lyrics or perhaps I never understood them in the first place. It doesn’t matter how it happened but a decade later, and like so many others, I found myself worshiping the Golden Calf – God money.

And in many ways, I did get what I deserved – a complete lack of purpose and meaning in my life

But, from the bottom of that well of pain that one finds themselves at after worshiping a false idol, I was forgiven, redeemed and given the message: “Your job now is to be at the place where you may be of maximum helpfulness to others, so never hesitate to go anywhere if you can be helpful. You should not hesitate to visit the most sordid spot on earth on such an errand. Keep on the firing line of life with these motives and God will keep you unharmed."

I do. And He does.

He gives me peace with myself, and with my fellows, and it is all my soul has every yearned for.

“Bow down before the one you serve. You’re going to get what you deserve”

– The Way