The Devil Went Down to Georgia

The devil went down to Georgia…or so the story goes. Apparently he was behind in his collection of wayward souls. So when he came upon Johnny playing the fiddle, he was looking for a soul to steal and had to come up with some irresistible bait. Guess what that was? Yep, our friend the ego.

He said to Johnny, “You play pretty good fiddle, boy, but…I’ll bet a fiddle of gold against your soul ‘cause I think I’m better than you.”

Now, I’m not totally sure if it was Johnny’s ego that took the bait when Johnny said, “I’ll take your bet…‘cause I’m the best that’s ever been,” or if Johnny was some highly enlightened being who simply knew who he was. It doesn’t really matter because the important point is that the devil went straight to the ego for his bait.

But here’s the thing: I don’t know why he had to go all the way to Georgia. Shoot, he could’ve just come to my house. Every time I express an opinion it’s a judgment and my ego is taking the bait because “judgment and love are opposites.” Lesson 352. And judgment seems especially enticing and prominent today in an election season where I have all sorts of opinions about this and that and them and those.

I’m not saying that while I’m in the illusion I’m not going to try to do the best for myself, my family, city, country, and the world. But while I’m at it, let me not forget that my opinion about what is best is just that – an opinion. And while I’m engaged in this highly important business of judging everything with my opinions, let me not lose my soul thinking I’m going to get a fiddle of gold if I “win.”