Back in the late 1970’s, a folk music legend turned his life over to
Jesus Christ, and after doing so wrote music to reflect his new-found relationship. He released these songs on a live album entitled “Saved,” which met with critical reviews. The criticism surely wasn’t aimed at
the musicianship, as it was filled with spirit and passion and many musical moments, instead, it was the message of his Christianity that people abhorred. This folk singer was no stranger to controversy, as he was also panned when he decided to take acoustic folk music into the electric guitar age of the late 1960’s. His name is Bob Dylan.
One of the songs he wrote and than recorded on “Saved” was
entitled “What Can I Do for You” and expressed succinctly what God had done for him, and all of us, and asked a question both young, and
mature Christians alike ask – or should be asking routinely, “What Can
I Do for You?” While at first blush this seems like a rhetorical question, I would like you to consider several answers that may very well
help us all to draw closer to God.
Clearly, and most obviously, the first thing you can do for God is acknowledge that he is real, that he is the creator, that he was born
of a virgin, was crucified, died, and was buried, and on the 3rd day
arose again, and that the path to eternal life in Heaven is only through
this belief. After accepting these truths and making a profession in that regard, and after admitting that you are a sinner that can be saved, not by your own works, but through faith in him who created you, than there is something else you can do for him – you can profess your belief
in him publicly as is done in believers baptism.
As a professing and active Christian, problems will not cease in your life. Bob Dylan put it this way: “I know all about poison, I know all about fiery darts, I don't care how rough the road is, show me where it starts…..what can I do for you?” Clearly the “poison” and fiery darts” could be interpreted as trials and tribulations one faces in life, and you can see that he then asks for guidance, and by doing that – he has in fact answered the question that follows. In times of sadness and heartache, dispair, difficulty and discord, we can show God our faith in him, however hard it may be, by turning our problems over to him, and by seeking the advice and counsel of other Christian loved ones and friends. We can also forgive others as God has forgiven us, not once, not twice, but time and again. For by doing so God’s unfailing and unending
mercy are reflected in our very being and behavior.
The song continues “You have given all there is to give, what can I give to you? You have given me life to live, how can I live for you?” Here again we see Dylan acknowledging the gifts God has given all of us, with more question as to how we can repay him. Obvious as it may be, there is clearly nothing we can do to rival what God has done for us, but we can live our lives according to his commands, and we can give others who may not know about Jesus Christ the facts as outlined in the Bible. In doing so, we fulfill the command to love our neighbors as ourselves; the unconditional love God has for each of us exemplified.
While Bob Dylan leaves the question “What can I do for you” open ended as the music closes out the song, it is clear that this should be an open-ended question, asked honestly and frequently by those of us who believe in him. A quick look in the bible gives us maybe the most profound, conclusive and yet simplistic answer to this question. Psalm 100:1-5 states in part: “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth…..Worship the LORD with gladness…Come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God, Give thanks to him and praise his name, For the LORD is good and his love endures forever.”
And for all he has done for us, to God be the honor and glory.
Amen.