Are you as stubborn as a mule? Are you as determined as a donkey? Are you as cantankerous as a cat? Are you as bearish as a bull? Are you as grumpy as a goat?
Why?
This week I was observing somebody that continues to “kick against the Goads”, day after day, pushing, fighting every rule, blaming every problem on someone else… Even though they are the one causing the pain, discomfort and trouble…
Goad: A board with spikes strategically placed behind the legs of an ox to prevent kicking and backing up. A long pole with a spike on the end used to direct oxen.
The words of the wise are like goads…Ecc 12:11
And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ Acts 26:14
This reminded me of one of my all time favorite skits, from Bob Newhart:
STOP IT!
Look it up for a good laugh, (Im not allowed to post the link I guess).
Is this normal? Does everyone try to push against the simplest of rules? Why do we make our lives so painful by always pushing against simple rules? I thought “perhaps it’s a lack of self control?” or perhaps someone protected them from consequences in the formative years? Or maybe they just like to feel pain and discomfort? I for one, do not keep pushing against a goad, or do I? I mean think about it, are we the author to our own pain and trouble?… probably, I guess…
As I get older, I realize the pain I inflict on myself because I have my fierce independence!! It is truly a ridiculous cause… When my oldest son Chris was about 3-4, able to speak, able to understand, able to talk… I told him “Don’t touch the fireplace, HOT!” and he agreed it would be a bad Idea… I walked out of the room, and seconds later I heard the whale of a small boy as he left his index finger print permanently on the glass door of the fireplace… WHY?
Imagine if he had listened, imagine if he had never stretched out that right hand and disobeyed Pops? Imagine if I had protected him from ever falling down, getting burnt and never let him have his BB gun in the house to shoot out the window… perhaps he would have become a mid forties man, kicking at the goad, causing his own discomfort and pain… never to understand if he just stopped kickin, just stopped rebelling, just stopped fighting everyone that cares… life could actually be wonderful!
How often do we keep kicking against the goads? How often do we just fight everyone that cares… why?
I challenge you and myself to this: As the week progresses, decide to stop fighting that one thing that you know you should or shouldn’t be doing… Here are some ideas:
Follow the stupid rules that you keep getting in trouble for.
When your spouse says that one thing, just to push your button, let it go.
When the paper is delivered to that bottom step, say thank you to God that it’s delivered.
When your mom calls you and starts to nag you again, tell God thank you that she cares.
When your daughter makes that mistake, Thank God she still speaks to you.
When your son calls at 2 am, thank God it’s not THE SHERIFF.
A simple change like this can and will change your life. Tomorrow, just don’t kick one time and think about how much better that feels, then the next day, do it twice. I’ve heard it said “If you want to change the world, start by making your bed”
in other words, start with something you can do, and tomorrow, maybe tackle something you thought you couldn’t do…
When you go nowhere, nothing happens. If you know you need to change, just start.
C