Sharpen Your Skills for Success

Ecclesiastes 10:8-10

---

 10:8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;

whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

 

9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;

whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

 

10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened,

more strength is needed but skill will bring success.

---

---

This is the Word of the Lord - It is meant to change the way we think, and the way we live.

---

---

Commentary by Bob Pardue

Sharpen Your Success Skills (Ax)

You know, many of us tackle a new job or project and get discouraged quickly because it is not going quite as planned. We feel let down and maybe a little depressed because we didn't get the results for success we had anticipated when we first began.

Now we are at a point of contemplating giving up the whole project and calling it a failure. Don't do it! There is an old saying I remember hearing that states ..

"It's always too soon to quit."

This is not always true but many times it is. If we look closer at the internal workings of the job or project, we may find small details left undone; some that may make a huge difference and turn the project from failure to success!

Are you using a dull ax?

As Solomon stated above we may have been using a dull ax to cut our wood. Have you ever tried to repair something around the house (maybe plumbing or a cabinet door) and the only tool you had was a pair of pliers?

It's near impossible to do a good job without the tools necessary. The same is true with any project you attempt. So, the first step is to get the right tools you need for the job.

How about the skills needed for a successful project?

Just as you need the right tools you also need some basic skills and knowledge to accomplish success in your project.

For example; Give me every expensive tool in existence that I would need to rebuild an automobile engine and the best I could do would be to take it apart. It may never go back together again! I have no idea how to even start rebuilding a car engine!

Remedy? Take courses for your job or project to go along with your new sharpened ax.

What does this have to do with God?

The same principle applies to doing God's work as applies to your personal project. The more we study His Word (The Bible) the more skills we obtain to do what He has planned for us.

Our tools needed are; The Bible, Bible study classes, Sunday School, and attending church on a regular basis. And ...

Prayer is essential

Don't forget the most important tool we own ... Prayer! Praying is our communication with God so try praying before beginning your work for God. Along with your personal skills, He will give you the power to do great things with a small amount of knowledge.

These spiritual tools will help produce skills that we can use for God. Then, and only then, will we find true success and happiness in life.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Ecclesiastes 9:1-2 - A Common Destiny