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Jesus said to Apostle Paul during his conversion on His way to Damascus in Acts 26:14 , “it is hard for you to kick against the goads.” In other words it is difficult or almost impossible for you to swim against the tide, this movement called the gospel is propelled by a force so powerful that if you want to stop it; it will seem like you are fighting against God whom you cannot overthrow; according to Gamaliel, the Apostle Paul’s teacher (See Acts 5:35-39).
Before I begin, I would like to ask us a question: when you throw an object, let’s say a piece of paper into a fast flowing water or a flood, what happens to the paper? Your answer is as good as mine. It floats, it doesn’t just float but it flows to any direction the water takes it to, after floating for a while it becomes so soft and tender that it may scatter into pieces due to pressure, even if it’s any other object different from paper. The bottom line is that it will lose its own control, the direction of the flood will determine the destination of the paper or object.
That is how a lot of us are in this world that we live in. We jump into the crowd like the paper. We begin to flow to every direction the flood of worldly desires and pleasures lead us to, and guess what your destination won’t be any different from that of the crowd.
The question is; how do I go against the tide? How do I know I am not being carried away by complacency and fleshy lust? The answer is simple: “Find the will of God and remain in it.” In other words “find purpose and pursue it with all diligence.” What are you looking for running from pillar to post? You will continue to be restless until you find purpose.
Sit down and Ask yourself, “this thing I am doing; is it for or against the will of God?” Does it give me joy, do I do it effortlessly, do I sing about it? Do I cry or even talk about it? Do I hit my fist on the table and wish I could do more? Then that’s what you should settle for. Otherwise go deep in search for His will.
If it is not the will of God then you may be found to be kicking against the goads. But on the other hand, if you are sure you are in Gods will and it seems you are getting overwhelmed see what Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:8 – “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”
This scripture is meant for people who have something to live and die for. A lot of us think living for Christ and purpose is a bed of roses. We expect a smooth sail and when we are confronted with storms and things don’t turn out to be the way we want it, we give up. We were not promised a life free from ups and downs, a turbulence free journey. But what we are confident about is that even if we go through difficulty, His presence is guaranteed and our journey would be successful.
When there is no cross there won’t be any glory. When you don’t experience these challenges and adversaries there won’t be any testimony. For one reason I write this down to you dearly beloved, you carry daily in your body the dying of our Lord Jesus with passion so that the life of Jesus maybe manifested in you by living the life Worthy of your calling. It takes discipline to swim against the tide, am also saying; it takes discipline to live for purpose. Even though swimming can be fun, it would be laborious to go against the flow, flow here is the norm, the status quo it won’t be easy to go against it.
That is what living for Christ is all about. It takes the Spirit of Christ to be able to live the life of Christ because by your own strength you can do nothing, you may be living in assumption and false truth or self deception all these leads to self righteousness and a life without power and authority. When the crowd is going towards a particular direction, with such a powerful force of influence, you are heading towards the opposite. This is The life we are called to live; it is a life of swimming against the flowing tide. It may seem as if it is difficult and impossible to accomplish then you need the Spirit.
Saul thought he was doing God a favor until He was re directed on his way to Damascus. Ask the Lord to redirect you this day, by giving you a new purpose, until you do that you may innocently but ignorantly fighting a course or heavens mandate a war that will be impossible for you to win because when heaven is closed over a man goodness, happiness, favor and all kinds of graces will be shut over him. When all these are missing, such a man has not found purpose yet and not in the will of God.
No wonder Apostle Paul said I cannot disobey the heavenly vision, woe is me if I don’t preach the gospel. That’s the ultimate truth; woe unto you who is living and struggling outside purpose. Has heaven given you a vision? What are you waiting for? Are you doing something else? It simply means you been attracting and inviting woes upon your life.
I want you to take a pause and reflect over your life perhaps the boisterous wind you are experiencing is because you are going against Gods will over your life, just as Jonah experienced, but I assure you if you are in Gods will then you can go against that tide effortlessly, your progress will be evident to all if you stay in His will.
I don’t know about you but this is my prayer; KNOCK ME OFF MY HORSE O LORD: I WANT TO DO YOUR WILL, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME DO?
How much longer would you continue to do whatever pleases you? Don’t forget that the life you live would be accounted for some day. There is someone taking the records and you will appear before Him. Whether He would say well-done good and faithful servant or get away from me you unfaithful servant, workers of iniquity should be determined now by how you live your life.
Don’t wait to be pressed against the wall by your donkey just as in the case of Balaam and get knocked down by a bright light as in the case of Saul, stop wasting your energy on matters that doesn’t count, matters heaven doesn’t give a go ahead. Don’t struggle until you go blind due to encounter with a bright light. Ask Him today to show you His will. Until you do that, you will continue to struggle harder without satisfaction, inner joy and fulfillment.
God bless you.
[Centre for New Dimension Leadership]
