Keeping your ax sharp

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.

When I was in Christian Service Brigade we did a lot of camping.  Once we got to camp and were all set up we would need firewood. One of the things we learned from our leaders was to keep our ax sharpened.  Our leaders taught us that a dull ax meant harder work chopping through fallen trees. The sharper the ax the less effort and energy required for the task. So I learned early on to sharpen my ax before leaving for the camp out, and I saved myself a lot of time and energy.

There is a lesson here. 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!

Don't 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 focus on not only sharpening our ax but keeping it sharp along the way. Help us to stay in Your word so that we are sharp and ready for what comes about us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.