Sharpen your ax

Ecclesiastes 10:10 :"If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength. But wisdom brings success".

Anyone who has ever had the opportunity to chop down a tree, or chop up wood for a fire knows this simple truth. In our modern day times of chain saws, and ready chopped wood we seldom get any opportunity to use an ax. The truth behind this wisdom is awesome and can be applied to so many different situations. A sharp ax cuts easier, requires less work, and you get more done. A blunt ax requires more strength, is less efficient and you work harder, but accomplish less.

In everyday business, if you don't keep up with technology, you will be working harder and accomplishing less. We accept this in everyday work environments, but what about our walk with Christ? In your daily walk, and I use the word "daily", because it is supposed to be a daily walk, not a once a week excursion to Church, if you don't keep your edge, your blade becomes dull. 

How do we keep a sharp edge? Well, its simple really. Prayer keeps your edge sharp. Prayer keeps your focus narrow. In Matthew 6:33 we are instructed to maintain a sharp focus. This is a simple formulae for success. In fact, Jesus was just echoing what Joshua was told in Joshua 1:8. If you keep your focus on God, and HIS WAY OF DOING THINGS, you will make your way prosperous and be successful. Keep your edge sharp. Re focus your vision everyday.

I keep my edge by asking myself the following question every morning.

1. Have I spoken to God this morning?

The word says to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God. In other words, the very first thing I do in the morning is sharpen my ax. The Roman soldiers had a routine. Everyday they would prepare their shields by anointing them with oil, and sharpen their swords. Anointing your shield of faith requires a daily prayer walk, but more importantly, you should start your day with prayer, and end your day in prayer.

I used to ask God to bless my plans. Now I ask God for His plans. I know His plans are blessed automatically, and it saves me time trying to figure out the best way to do something. Why try man's wisdom, when I can go to the source?

Have you sharpened your ax today? Is it not interesting that ax sharpening and wsidom are used in the same verse?