THE DEVIL WEARS A RIGHTEOUS FACE

Inspired by Rabash, Article No. 4 (1987)

I woke before the morning light,

Prepared to stand and join the fight.

But something whispered in my head,

"You're tired, old man. Go back to bed."

"You think you're working for the King?

Your selfish heart still owns everything.

You talk of love, you talk of prayer,

But all you really want is someone's care."

I heard that voice, it sounded wise,

It wore the truth as its disguise.

It spoke of justice, right and wrong,

And nearly stole my morning song.

I sat there staring at the floor,

My hand was resting on the door.

The friends were waiting, hearts awake,

While I was searching for a break.

"You're not sincere, so why pretend?

Your ego owns you to the end.

Why bother trying? Why begin?

You'll only serve yourself again."

But something deeper cried inside,

"Get off that bed! Put down your pride!

You don't need holiness to start,

Just bring the friends your broken heart."

So I got up and joined the Ten,

And found the strength to try again.

I listened, prayed, and bowed my head,

And gave the friends the love I had.

Then came that voice, all dressed in gold,

"You're quite a man, so strong and bold!

Just look at you! You passed the test!

You're not like them! You're one of the best!"

Oh, what a clever, filthy game,

Two different lies, one selfish aim.

Before the work, it calls me small,

And afterward, the king of all.

One voice says, "Quit, you're not enough!"

The other says, "You're mighty tough!"

But both are chains around my soul,

Both keep me from the higher goal.

Now here's the truth that Rabash gave,

A light to guide the willing slave:

Don't judge the words by how they sound,

But where they lead when they come around.

If all that wisdom lets me rest,

And leave the friends to face the test,

Then even dressed in holy white,

That voice is dragging me from light.

And when my ego shouts, "You've won!"

I know my work has just begun.

For every deed I proudly claim,

Still needs correction in His name.

So let me work without a crown,

And let my stubborn head bow down.

Let every fall become a prayer,

And every rise bring greater care.

I don't need praise, I don't need fame,

I only want to serve His name.

And if I cannot love today,

I'll ask for strength to find the way.

For good and evil share one chest,

And both will put my heart to test.

But I will choose, through joy and pain,

To rise and join my friends again.

And when that righteous-sounding lie

Comes dressed as truth before my eye,

I'll ask one thing before I choose:

"Will this bring love—or give excuse?"

For all the wisdom I may know

Means nothing if I will not grow.

And all my strength is nothing worth

If I can't lift a friend from earth.

So let the ego scream and shout,

It cannot tell me what love's about.

I'll take my place among the Ten,

And start the work all over again.