Have you ever been to a concert where there's a mosh pit? You see them mostly when metal bands are playing. It's a churning mass of humanity - people (mostly male) pushing and shoving and banging into each other. It's not my idea of fun, but some people enjoy it. To each his own. There is a certain etiquette to it. If someone falls, the rest are quick to help him up. No questions asked or judgments made, they just help him up. (That's an example Christians could take to heart when they see a brother or sister stumble.) Typically there are two kinds of people in the pit: really big guys and little guys who think they have something to prove. The little guys usually end up bouncing off the big guys like pinballs. I noticed a little guy at one show with his hair in corn rows & roughly 6 braided ponytails about 6 inches long. He was getting out of control (slinging fists etc.) and a security guy tried to talk to him about it. The music was loud so I couldn't hear what was said, but it was obvious from the facial expressions that the little guy didn't appreciate anyone telling him what to do. He turned around to walk away and the (very big) security guy grabbed him by the ponytails, yanked hard, turned him 180 degrees, and had a very personal conversation with him about six inches from his face. I know it hurt. You could see the tears in his eyes. But you know what? The security guy didn't have any problems with him after that. I told that story to a friend of mine and he made this comment: "I can relate to that. God has yanked me by the ponytails a few times."
Saul of Tarsus makes his first appearance in the Bible as an approving bystander at the stoning of Stephen. (Acts 7:58) He then set about persecuting and ravaging the church. He later admitted "I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women". (Acts 22:4) He was on his way to arrest more Christians in Damascus when Jesus appeared to him in a vision. "Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank." (Acts 9:3-9)
So was God yanking Saul by the ponytails here? Absolutely. Saul needed it. He put him in time out, too, so he could think about his actions. I can only imagine how he felt as he sat there for three days. I'm sure he was terrified when he thought about what God might do next. But rather than destroying him with a ball of fire or the like, God sent a disciple named Ananias to him. Even Ananias was skeptical, because he knew Saul's history. But God had something different in mind, because he told Ananias "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus." (Acts 9:15-19)
Yes, God yanked Saul by the ponytails, but it was for his own good and for the benefit of everyone he would encounter from that day forward. We see that because as the apostle Paul, he brought the gospel to the Gentiles and he is bringing the gospel to us today through his letters in the New Testament. I believe God is always trying to teach us something. The question is: are we paying attention and are we willing to accept his correction when we need it? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." (Hebrews 12:5-6, Proverbs 3:11-12) God has yanked me by the ponytails a few times too, and it hurt, but I needed it. "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11)
