and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed,
but skill will bring success. (Ecclesiastes 10:10)
King Solomon is probably best known for his many proverbs, but he also wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. While the book overall is pretty much a diatribe on why worldly things can never satisfy, it also brings along with it some interesting little nuggets like the one above.
As someone that has actually used an ax, I can testify that when the edge is lost, your work becomes much harder… The same is true in our walk with God. As we begin this journey (once Christ does all the work to get us there), we often find it hard to stay on the right path. Our ax isn’t sharpened yet!
To bring our edge to razor sharpness takes time, work, and experience. We need to spend enough time in the Word of God to be able to focus on the overarching themes that are there, as well as begin making the Word part of us, as the famous Psalm tells us:
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you. (Psalms 119:11)
We need to spend time in communication with our Lord – praying, talking, crying… These will help to synchronize our heart with the Spirit inside us.
Also of great importance: We need to spend time with more experienced and spiritually mature disciples that can help us grow in our faith. It is true that God is the ultimate arbiter of our faith, and that only His judgement ultimately matters. But it is also true that fellowship with other believers is a great way to grow stronger.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
Let’s get to work and sharpen our edges, so we can cleanly slice through everything that may block us from the life God has for us!
#LoveMatters