A dull ax

Ecclesiastes 10:10 (ESV)

If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,

    he must use more strength,

    but wisdom helps one to succeed.

I did a lot of camping when in High School with our Christian Service Brigade group. When out camping one of the jobs we would have was to collect firewood. Many times this would require that we chop the wood with an ax. Our leaders took the time to teach us to sharpen the ax before we started.  They would tell us a dull ax meant harder work chopping through fallen trees. The sharper the ax the less effort and energy required for the task. We learned early on in our camping experience to sharpen our ax before venturing into the woods, because it saved us a lot of time and energy.

Not only did our leaders teach us a lesson about chopping the wood they taught us a lesson about life. How many of us are exerting so much energy for the Kingdom, but are working with dull axes? We need to sharpen our spiritual lives, get focused in prayer and spend deep time in the Word. Then, when we are "out in the woods", working for the Kingdom our effectiveness will be greatly multiplied because our axes are sharp!

We need to not get so busy that your ax becomes dull. Remember that your devotion to the Lord and His word will sharpen your spiritual life, especially before you start the day. Prioritize your devotional life and watch how your "edge" will cut through the problems, obstacles and difficult situations, like a hot knife through butter!

Dear Lord, help us to keep our spiritual life sharp. Help us to stay in Your word so that we may learn the lessons You have for us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.