Has Someone Got Your Goat?

 

Hoover Rupert used to say, "The measure of someone is the size of the thing it takes to get his or her goat." The old phrase “get your goat” refers to the sensitivity of racehorses. According to Dr. Rupert, racehorses are infamously high-strung. Horse trainers learned many years ago that highly sensitive animals like a stall mate, and a goat is one of the most suitable companions for a racehorse. In fact, once a racehorse has bonded with a goat, that horse would go crazy if the goat were taken away. On the theory that all is fair in love and horse racing, gamblers used to try to shorten the odds by stealing a thoroughbred's stall mate. The hope was to reduce the racehorse's chance of winning. From this practice, "to get one's goat" came to stand for upsetting a person so that there was a complete loss of temper. So, the measure of a person is the size of the thing it takes to get one's goat. What does it take to upset you? What does it take to make you lose your temper? How emotionally high-strung are you when you find yourself in a situation with your goat being out of the stall? Perhaps, we should give close attention to the words of Paul, "Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26).

From the book Conformed to His Image by Kenneth Boa (pp. 143-144): During World War II, the famous heavy-weight boxing champion, Joe Louis, aided the war effort by giving inspirational speeches and recruiting. One day he was riding with a GI when they were involved in a minor traffic accident with a large truck. The truck driver got out and approached Louis, swearing, and yelling at him, but Louis sat quietly in his seat and just smiled. Later, the GI asked Louis, “Why didn’t you get out of the Jeep and knock him flat?” “Why should I,” Louis replied. “When somebody insulted Caruso, did he sing an aria for him?” Joe Louis didn’t have to prove who he was because he was secure in his own identity.

[Matthew 5:11-12] “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Jesus did not have to prove He was the Son of God when Satan tempted Him (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13), or when the Jews asked for a sign (Matthew 12:38-39, 16:1-4; Mark 8:11-12; Luke 11:16; John 2:18, 6:30). Jesus did not have to prove He was the King of the Jews by calling twelve legions of angels to defend Him (Matthew 26:52-54). He did not have to prove His power by identifying those who smote Him while He was blindfolded (Luke 23:63-65), or by descending from the cross after He was crucified (Mark 15:25-32). He knew who He was and was secure in His identity. In due time, His Father would exalt Him (Acts 2:32-36).

If we are secure in our identity as God’s children (John 13:34-34), we will not have to prove it to doubters who insult us or our sense of piety. Although we may be tempted to “put on a show” of our righteous indignation so that they “recognize” our love for the Heavenly Father, there is no need to do so. We are already blessed of God, and He will honor us in due time.

Your influence is like your shadow. It may not always fall where you want it. Therefore, you need to be especially careful to see that wherever it falls, it will have a good effect on all. You may not be able to control the shadow, but you can control the one who casts the shadow. Make your influence count for God. Be not deceived! Others are being influenced by your example this very hour. Are you casting a “Christ-like” image?