18 October | EVERYONE
“At midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’" Acts 26: 13,14
What is more important to defend: an idea, life, or your word? Before King Agrippa, Paul did not spend time presenting theological arguments to defend himself but telling his conversion story. He knew that the most powerful argument in favor of an idea is facts. In his case, it was his transformed life. That is why Paul recounted his encounter with Christ, his struggles, and the sincerity with which he persecuted Christians without knowing that he was actually persecuting Jesus.
How good is God that He never gives up! He calls you with love, and if you do not listen to Him, He keeps calling you. Many times, He allows circumstances to take you to a crossroads so that you understand that you cannot continue to run away from Him, but He keeps calling you. God knows that without Him you cannot be happy no matter how hard you try.
In the case of Saul of Tarsus, the Lord appeared to him in the form of a bright light, more dazzling than the noonday sun. Paul fell to the ground blinded by the glare, kissed the ground, and ate the dust. His pride was completely shattered, and the voice of Jesus said to him, "It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
Dare to bare-knuckle a wall full of stingers and you will be left with a bloody hand. Jesus is the indestructible wall, the sting of the rebels. You can run away from Him as long as you have a spark of life left, you can deny His existence or argue against the gospel, but deep down you know you are kicking against the goad. You look like a child running away from the Father and, after a while, you fall exhausted and crying for lack of protection.
Take Action
You may have noticed inconsistencies in your view of God and in your spiritual life, but you continue to act out of inertia. If so, when will you face your reality? Give your life to Jesus today! It is easy; open the doors of your heart and let Him in!