TO BEAT THE DEVIL

to beat the devil

Kris Kristofferson image courtesy Photobucket

I’ve shared my analogy of writing a few times. I’m not going to use the “Pushing the rope uphill” line again. (At least not in its entirety) –(pretty clever Huh?)

This time I’m going to compare writing when it feels forced to pushing a boulder uphill. In contrast, when the words are flowing easily from my mind, it’s like dropping a pebble into a well.

I get inspiration to write from some pretty strange sources. My renewed burst of passion, this time comes via my big brother. The immediate thought would be that he gave me the “at’-a-boy” speech or some other inspirational words. My brothers are proud of me and vice versa, but not for anything writing related. We share a mutual respect due to our belief and understanding of God.

I don’t know if either one of my brothers have ever even read this blog. I’d like it if they did, but I know there’s no forcing either one of them into doing something they don’t want to do.

I get to spend one on one time with my oldest brother Dean two or three times a year. We don’t live in the same state and he travels for business a lot.

My whole family and I share a passion for music. If you’ve read much of this blog you already know I use music as a catalyst for my writing quite often.

Last night my brother and me were listening to old Christmas songs. We’re patient with one another these days. I endured Buck Owens, “Santa Looks A Lot Like Daddy.” He actually enjoys the Eagles, “Come Home For Christmas.” The evening progressed past midnight as we used the computer to dig up long lost treasures.

Dean had me find Kris Kristofferson’s, “To Beat The Devil.” I’ve heard the song before, but not many times. While the style isn’t popular, I find the lyrics to be not only amusing, but genius.

If I could come up with words to speak to one heart in this world as his speak to mine, I would be gratified and consider myself a successful writer.

Kristofferson wrote and sang from the perspective of a starving singer/songwriter. When he encounters another person who tries to discourage him from his dream of singing/songwriting, even though hungry and thirsty from having no money, Kristofferson considers the man Satan.

He believed his calling was from God, and anyone who would discourage or keep him from that belief he considered the Devil. I hope you take the time to go to Youtube and hear the song, but I’ll include the verse I believe is genius all by itself just in case.

–“Well the old man was a stranger, but I heard his song before

–Back when failure had me locked out on the wrong side of the door

–When no one stood behind me but my shadow on the floor

–And lonesome was more than a state of mind

–You see the devil haunts a hungry man

–If you don’t want to join em’, you gotta beat em’.

–I ain’t sayin’ I beat the devil, but I drank his beer for nothin’…

–Then I stole his song.”

OK, I was born in Arkansas and that might have some bearing on my taste along with the influence of my dad growing up. Regardless of a person’s taste in music I think anyone would agree with the determination of a person to keep pushing on against all odds is an admirable trait.

The song ends with Kristofferson saying he’d rather live his life doing what he was called to do, even if it meant living that life without a nickel.

I’d love to have my manuscript published. If I don’t I’ll consider it God’s will. I’ll also consider it His will for me to never quit trying to lift up and inspire people any way I can. If He gives me the words to inspire others like Kristofferson’s did for me early this morning, that would suit me just fine.

For anyone reading this now, I would encourage you to go do what you do. If you don’t have something, go get something. Look toward your passion and follow the trail it’s leaving you. If we can impact anyone in a positive way and show them the love and power provided to us through God, I’d call that true success.

The greatest success in my opinion can’t be measured by a number. It’s measured in the hearts of others.

I ain’t sayin’ I beat the Devil, but I know God will.

And my dreams given by God, he can never kill.

If you don’t think a writer is what I’ll be.

Move on back Satan, you can get behind me.