When a mule’s mind has been made, it takes a whole lot of persuading to get him to “unmake” it. A farmer had a mule he owned for many years. Over that time, he picked up on the mule’s stubborn streaks. He got so good, he could see a stubborn streak coming and going. He also learned how to get the animal’s attention: whenever it acted up, he beat it on the head with a wooden board until it decided to obey him.

One day, another farmer stopped by to return some borrowed tools. He watched the farmer hit his mule on the head and said, “Well, it looks like you’ve figured out how to fix his problem.”

The farmer said, “I just know how to get his attention. He hasn’t been cured yet.”

When God wanted to get the world’s attention, He didn’t beat us over the head with a board. He gave us His law so we would know that we were sinners who fell short of perfection. The law showed us that our lust was adultery, our hatred was murder, and our covetousness was idolatry. It got our attention in a way nothing else ever could.

But God is also merciful. Not only did He get our attention, but He also provided a cure for our problem. He sent His Son to die and shed His blood to pay for all of our sins, so we could go to Heaven. Once we get saved, God starts to work in our lives to help us be like Christ.

Has God been trying to get your attention lately? Maybe you heard a preacher on television or the radio give an invitation to put your trust in Christ. You were convicted about your sins, but you never accepted Christ as your Savior. Get the matter settled today, once and for all. God doesn’t try to get your attention to hurt you, but to get you to try His cure. Won’t you trust in Christ right now?