Ecclesiastes 10:10 | NKJV “If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success.”

Have you ever found yourself in this kind of situation that King Solomon described? A situation where it appears you’re cutting down a tree with an unsharpened axe? A case where you’re exerting so much effort trying to deal with vital issues in your life, and yet your efforts seem not to be able to cut through. You spend countless times on stuff with little or no progress to show for it. You may well examine if your axe is blunt. 

It is possible to cut down a tree with a blunt blade, but much strength will be exerted. The most skillful and wisest thing to do will be to sharpen the blade. Steven Covey describes the principle as ‘sharpening the saw’, which in the secular world refers to increasing ones productivity and effectiveness. 

Getting ahead in life requires working smarter than harder. To tackle the challenges of life and get ahead requires the inspiration and help of the Holy Spirit. Working without His help is like working with an unsharpened edge. He is the wisdom of God unto us. He is our enabler and the power of God at work within us. He is our sharpener. He is our cutting edge. He is infact our battle axe. We are dull and inadequate without Him. Our human effort cannot accomplish much; actually nothing, in comparison to what He can do for us.

John 6:63 | NLT “It is the Spirit who gives life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

We live and thrive by the words of the Holy Spirit to us. So today, He’s saying to not get ahead of ourselves, but to be certain that our axe is sharpened; that his place in our hearts is prioritized, our hearts emboldened and set ablaze by His word, presence and power. 

Perhaps, you’ve got areas of struggle in your life; areas where it feels like you’re cutting with a blunt axe. It is okay to feel powerless and inadequate. That actually qualifies you to receive God’s power. The Lord says to get over yourself, and confess your dullness, powerlessness, and inadequacy to Him. Only Him can make His plans and purposes for you effective and successful.

Simply pray regarding that issue, Oh Lord help me!