Sharpen Your Ax

REFERENCE: Ecclesiastes 10:10 Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That´s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed. 

Observation: Solomon hits on a real truth here. If all we do with our lives is "cut wood", that is, produce, and never take time to sharpen our ax, that is, recover and recuperate, life will become very difficult. In every area of our lives we have to learn to live in margins. With our physical bodies we need to make sure that they have the rest and exercise that they need. In our emotional lives, we need to figure out what makes us feel stronger and encouraged and we need to make sure we do those things regularly. Jesus took much time out from very important ministry simply to be with the Father. Why? Because He new that if He was not taking time to renew His spirit He would not be able to continue to be effective in the mission God had for Him.

If it is true for the Son of God how much more is it true for us. We can not simply hope that it happens, we have to schedule "down time" into our lives. We must make sure that time for exercise, recreation, friends and worship are all planned into the way we live. We must learn not to feel guilty when we are not "producing" but remember that we will be more effective for God and others, in the long run, if we learn to live this way.

No one wants to cut wood with a dull ax. When we try to live our lives in a "dull ax" kind of way it is hard, laborius and it leads to burn out or acting out. Let's learn to take another approach.

Application/Confession: I am learning to "sharpen" my ax. The guilt thing is still an issue but I am praying, examining my heart and learning not to allow myself to be judged by what I produce but to let God judge me by how obedient I am to my Father. Then I can feel free to put margins in my life.

PRAYER: Lord, remind me that I work only for You. I am Your servant. Your Son showed a wonderful example of living within limits. Help me to learn to be like Jesus in this regard.