Saul described his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus:
Acts 26:14 (ESV)
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.’
God used goads (sharp sticks for herding animals) to get Saul’s attention. Apparently, Saul not only ignored these spiritual goads, he kicked back.
Picture this: the Spirit “herds” me in the right direction. Sometimes He uses a sharp stick. I have a choice — do I change direction or kick back?
Good morning, Lord. Saul missed the goad of Stephen’s final words (Acts 7), thinking he was right and Stephen was wrong. Forgive me for the many times I’ve been so sure I was right that I missed the nudge of Your Spirit. Teach me to listen with an open mind and heart, to check what I hear against Your Word, to follow Your lead in all things.
