What's Your Edge?

What's Your Edge?

"If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success." - Ecclesiastes 10:10

Sometime back, while attempting to cut some lumber, it became clear that a plastic knife could cut faster than the saw blade I was using. After a blade change, I was completely amazed at how fast this carbide blade sliced through its opponent. As designed, human effort was significantly diminished as now the tool worked specifically the way it was designed, that being to cut!

Just a few days ago, I was presented with the opportunity to cut up a few trees that had fallen in my yard due to an incredible storm that past through. In fact, the tree that fell was so big it covered my driveway and if I was to get out, the tree had to go. I got out my trusty chainsaw and began to go to work, except I seemed to do all the work and the chainsaw just sat there and smoked! You see, the edge on the teeth of the chainsaw had become dulled now requiring much more effort on my part to get it to work the way it was designed. Amazingly, after honing the edges of the chainsaw teeth, it cut like a hot knife through butter, metal knife that is.

When we try to do anything without the necessary skills or tools, it's like cutting a tree with a plastic knife. No matter how hard you try, the knife is not going to cut the tree and the harder you try the more stressed, frustrated and further away from the solution you become. Once we recognize a difficulty, sharpen and use the proper tools, they so often become the means to an easier resolution. In other words, look for the places in life where your so-called "chainsaw blade" has become dull and as such, hone and sharpen your skills. In so doing, your effort or your edge will become ever more effective in all that God has for you to do.