“On one of these journeys (to foreign cities to persecute Christians), I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’” (Acts 26:12-14)
Goads were wooden poles with a sharp spike at one end used to prod obstinate oxen in the field. The ox would sometimes kick back against the goads, causing more pain. Based on God’s words to Saul (Paul), He had been leading Paul to Himself for many years. Paul kicked against the goads by hunting Christians and persecuting them. No doubt, Paul drank a lot of wine to lessen his buried guilt.
The light blinded Paul, so he needed help traveling the Road to Damascus. Damascus means sack of blood or life. We, too, are blind while we travel our life roads, but God has cleared our paths and has solved our problems before we encounter them. We’ll live our best life if we listen and hold tightly to our Guiding Shepherd.
Father, I praise You for Jesus. Let His words and the Holy Spirit guide me. If I leave the path you’ve cleared for me, goad me back. I believe that if I listen to You, I’ll live my best life and accomplish my dreams. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.