There was a strong young man during the depression who was eager to find work. He did not have many skills, but he did have an ax that his grandfather had left to him. He went around to all of the loggers offering his labor. At the last he begged for a chance to show what he could do. The foreman told him to come early the next morning (even though he didn't need anyone) and he would get a chance.
The youngster worked hard the next day and out performed almost all of the more experienced men, so the foreman decided to keep him on another day. The next day when he did well, but not as well as the first day. The foreman assumed that some soreness from the first day had hampered the fellow. On the third day, he did less. When he did even less on the fourth day the foreman was concerned that he might need to send him packing, but before that he would talk to the boy.
The boss noticed on the fifth day that the boy was the first one out working and when the others had gone home he was still at it, but had done less than any other day. He called the young man to him and asked him why he was struggling so much now when he had started so well. The youngster had no explanation. He felt like he had been working harder, but was not able to do as much.
By this time the boss had a pretty good idea of what the problem was. "Let me see your ax, son" he said. When the boy handed over the ax it clearly had a blunt edge and the foreman asked, "Have you been taking time to sharpen your ax?"
"No, sir, I haven't had time I have been too busy working to stop," he replied.
The foreman explained the necessity of taking the time to sharpen the blade so the work would be productive. what about you are you taking the time to sharpen your skills, your tools, your sword, etc. It is essential to remaining productive in God's army, vineyard, kingdom, etc.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
The youngster worked hard the next day and out performed almost all of the more experienced men, so the foreman decided to keep him on another day. The next day when he did well, but not as well as the first day. The foreman assumed that some soreness from the first day had hampered the fellow. On the third day, he did less. When he did even less on the fourth day the foreman was concerned that he might need to send him packing, but before that he would talk to the boy.
The boss noticed on the fifth day that the boy was the first one out working and when the others had gone home he was still at it, but had done less than any other day. He called the young man to him and asked him why he was struggling so much now when he had started so well. The youngster had no explanation. He felt like he had been working harder, but was not able to do as much.
By this time the boss had a pretty good idea of what the problem was. "Let me see your ax, son" he said. When the boy handed over the ax it clearly had a blunt edge and the foreman asked, "Have you been taking time to sharpen your ax?"
"No, sir, I haven't had time I have been too busy working to stop," he replied.
The foreman explained the necessity of taking the time to sharpen the blade so the work would be productive. what about you are you taking the time to sharpen your skills, your tools, your sword, etc. It is essential to remaining productive in God's army, vineyard, kingdom, etc.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
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