"It is hard for you

to kick against

the goads?"

(Acts 9:5)

Some of the pain in life is unnecessary.

Some of the pain in life is self induced.

Some of the pain in life comes from kicking against God’s goads.

What is a “goad” you might ask?   The truth is that for only a few of us is it something we have ever seen or used.   A goad was something that a farmer used to “encourage” his animals, specifically his oxen to move.  Most often a goad was made up of a long stick that had a sharp point on the end of it.  If the ox was slow moving, or stubbornly not moving, the farmer would take this goad and give a little poke to his hind legs to “encourage” it to move forward.

Now, take a moment to try to picture this in your mind.  Occasionally a farmer would get a really stubborn ox.   As he is seeking to motivate his ox to get out in the field or to move forward in the field, instead of responding correctly to the goad, the ox would fight it.  The farmer would gently push the goad against the hind legs of the ox…and the stubborn ox, instead of moving forward would kick at the goad, not wanting to respond obediently.   Now, if you have this well pictured in your mind – then you can see the situation better than I can describe it.  As the stubborn and rebellious ox kicks at the goad – it only increases his contact with the goad.  What was a gentle poke before, is now piercing pain.   Stubborn oxen were known to fight so hard that it would leave their legs swollen and bloody – and very much in pain.   Eventually the ox will give in, eventually the farmer will have his way…but only after a whole lot of unnecessary pain.

Some of the pain in life is unnecessary.

Some of the pain in life is self induced.

Some of the pain in life comes from kicking against God’s goads.

This is the picture Jesus presents when he talks to Paul. 

"It is hard for you to kick against the goads?"(Acts 9:5)

As God was bringing in “goads”  into Paul’s life with the purpose of drawing him to faith and forward in service – Paul was resisting.  Paul was fighting hard…but his fighting is only bringing pain upon himself.   As Jesus asks this question of Paul, I believe it was filled with compassion, love and concern.  It was meant to help Paul see his folly.

If you were looking on, perhaps you would ask as well – “doesn’t that hurt?”, “why are you fighting so hard, you are only hurting yourself”, and maybe you would encourage him – “would it not be easier to submit to the good plans of God, than fighting him to your own hurt?”

So here is the question for you: Are you fighting against the goads in your life? Is God lovingly and faithfully sending goads into your life – pointed instruments, pointed circumstances, pointed words – that seek to move you forward in His plan and path for your life?  But instead of submitting to His wise and faithful hands… are you fighting?  Are you kicking against His direction, against His goads for your life?  In so doing, your life and heart are a real mess – swollen, bloody, and throbbing with pain. 

My question for you is this: Why do it?  God’s plans and will for your life are the best that life can be.  Further, God never gives up on us - He will continue working with you and prodding you forward.  Sure seems to make a lot more sense to submit to His direction than to fight against the goads…to your own hurt.

Some of the pain in life comes from kicking against God’s goads.

Some of the pain in life is self induced.

Some of the pain in life is unnecessary.

Some of the pain in life can be avoided by surrendering to God.

I encourage you today….don’t fight His good will!

"It is hard for you to kick against the goads?"

(Acts 9:5)

Jim