May 10 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ ...  Romans 1:1  The word ‘servant’ is ‘doulos’, meaning ‘bondslave’. Exodus 21:2 sheds light on what this means: In Israel, a slave was required to serve only six years before he was set free. If, however, at the end of six years, he said, ‘I like it here. I want to become a bondslave,’ the master would drive a nail through his right earlobe and place an earring in it, signifying he was a doulos, a slave by choice. It’s a wise decision to give yourself fully to the Lord as His bondslave because He takes excellent care of those committed to Him. Their lives are filled with purpose and focus; their hearts with peace and joy. Perhaps you're saying, ‘I’m my own man — captain of my destiny, master of my fate. I don’t serve anyone.’ But reality says otherwise. Everyone will serve someone. Bob Dylan was right: ‘It may be the devil, or it may be the Lord, but you gotta serve somebody.’ And Paul made a wise decision indeed when he chose to serve the Lord. Dux' Thoughts When we commit to be His bondslave, in effect, He owns our lives and He alone directs the way we should live. Studying, working and serving others feel light if we do them for our faithful and good master.