“And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’” Acts 26:14
A goad is a pointed stick - a prod - used to drive livestock. The biggest of beasts will move if goaded. A goad placed on the right part will move cattle, goats, sheep, oxen - even elephants. They can kick, balk, bawl, but in the end they are going to move. It is no different with us when it comes to God. We can either go peacefully with joy or go kicking and screaming, but go we will - either into eternal life with God or to eternal damnation. We can serve him and trust in him and live peacefully in this world or “kick against the goads” and live as we will. Either way, we cannot escape the consequences. Trying to do so is futile.
Jesus showed Paul that it was futile to continue in the way he was going - in the persecution of the church. It was God’s will that he serve Him and be an apostle to the Gentiles. How is God “goading” you to serve him today?
Prayer: Lord God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, use me this day and always according to your good and gracious will. Give me such faith as to follow you always, with joy. Amen.