DailyConnections.net

WEDNESDAY 8/27/08

Blunt Jesus
 
Some folks just can’t take a subtle hint, or even some pretty blatant ones.  Whisper in their ear … and they ignore it.  Tap ‘em on the shoulder … nothing.  Poke ‘em with your finger … they brush you off like a bug.  So, I can imagine that, every now and then, God gets fed up trying to get our attention, clobbers us with a big club and lays it out in big, block, all-cap letters.
 
That’s what He did with Paul, who up to the point that Jesus knocked him senseless, was having a ball running around and dragging those errant Jews (those irritating Christ followers) out of the temples and making their lives miserable, even helping stone one or two.  But then you can almost see it (I picture my Italian grandfather banging his fist on the table, leveling a gaze across the table and announcing: “Basta!”  “Enough!”)  That’s the kind of language even I understand.
 
My point: Maybe it’s a whisper; maybe it’s a kick in the butt.  But God is talking to us.  Personally, I think it’s better to listen to Him while He’s still being patient than when He finally loses His cool.  Enjoy this beautiful day … and pay attention when God has something to say. — jri
 
“‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’
he replied.  ‘Now get up and go into the
city, and you will be told what you must do.’”
        –    Jesus Christ (chatting with his new apostle, Paul)
               (Acts 9:5-6)