STAYING SHARP

The Book of Ecclesiastes is a collection of wisdom sayings by Solomon. This is one I was thinking about:

“When you chop wood,
there is danger with each stroke of your ax.
Using a dull ax requires great strength,
so sharpen the blade.
That’s the value of wisdom;
it helps you succeed.” (10:9-10)
I suppose it helps a great deal to have chopped and cut a fair amount of wood to best understand this saying, or at least the obvious. I have cut my share and the parable is completely true.

But it is also true for every endeavor. If we do computer work we need a ‘sharp’ computer, if a truck driver, we need to stay ‘sharp’ and drive a ‘sharp’ truck, if a teacher, we need ‘sharp’ study habits, if shaving, a ‘sharp’ blade is advised, if married, ‘sharp’ listening skills, if a parent, ‘sharp’ listening skills, if with friends, ‘sharp’ listening skills, if sitting alone with the Lord, ‘sharp’ listening skills. It is all about sharp or dull.

Using anything dull requires much harder work, ‘requires great strength’ and ‘is dangerous.’ This simple wisdom will ‘help us succeed.’

“But now take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!” Jesus