What motivates you to action? What pokes you in such a way that you do something? We hear so many things, from television to YouTube; from Facebook to the reading of books; from pulpits to coffee shops; the amount of things we hear in a day, in a year is beyond comprehension and yet the measure of words in comparison to the measure of action is undeniably out of balance. Therefore, the question remains, what “goads” stimulate you to action?

A goad is a long stick with a pointed end used for prodding animals; it is anything that urges or stimulates into action. The Lord has had me on a trail of revelation this morning as it pertains to being drunk on knowledge. We love to read Facebook posts, watch YouTube videos, listen to people as we have lunch, dinner or coffee with them. We hear of this person writing a book, that person who wrote a book, we have Kindle, Mardel’s and Barnes and Noble because knowledge is wine and people love to drink and drink and drink. But to what end?

Writers must write, learners must learn, leaders must lead and to do so we must be readers, consumers of information in order to produce quality content. But knowledge is not the end, it is the launch pad. Solomon said it this way, “In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs. The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly. The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14).

My friends, I don’t write to hear myself speak, I write to prod you, to stimulate you to love God and love people. I don’t read to get puffed up with knowledge, to get drunk on information so I can validate my opinion or win an argument, I do it for I want to be stimulated to action, to love more, to serve more, to give more. I hope the same is true for you. For without love we are nothing, no matter how much we know. Love wins for love is the principle thing! Love is the new wine. Love is God and God is love. I pray you are prodded to be a lover for love is the goad God uses with us His sheep and that we are to use with each other. Love you!