In using an axe to cut trees or split wood, one will either use wisdom and sharpen the tool or leave it like that and use more energy and time. This actually makes for failure. A wise person does not go that way.
A wise man prepares his tools. Thoughtfulness brings success more than brute (thoughtless, animal like) force. “If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.” Ecclesiastes 10:10(NIV)
“If the axe is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success.” Ecclesiastes 10:10(NKJV)
“If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.” Ecclesiastes 10:10(KJV)
We need to sharpen our ministry tools.
It takes a combination of elements to do a good job:
1.Inspiration (revelation) and
2.Perspiration (work, sweat)
Unfortunately, too much emphasis is put on inspiration, leaving the spirit to do a lot of what we should be doing. The Holy Spirit will not sharpen your axe—you will do it. You can use pious language but not achieve much—because achievement is not a language. It is doing the right things to get the right results. Why do so many godly people fast and pray so much and don’t have much to show for it, while some sinners are plain godless yet achieve much? It has a lot to do with being smart in dealing with their affairs. My dear friends, Pastors, leaders, fellow citizens of heaven and earth, you can no longer afford to live just below poverty line in the name of God. You cannot afford to do poor work with poor results in the name of being faithful. Sharpen the axe and results will overtake you!! Let us commit to a lifetime of working with sharper tools and developed skills, to the glory of God!
How do we sharpen our axe head?
I. Prayer and Bible study
This will keep us fresh even when work grows. There is going to be a fresh word and fresh touch from above.
II. Fellowship
There will always be the need to associate with other people of like mind. Let me share with you an experience. Many years ago, I was misplaced in ministry; I served aggressively but in the wrong office. A prophet got to my office and told me that I would miss my ministry if I continued serving in the wrong office. Being the rational man I am, I argued with him about it. At the time in Kenya, Pentecostals accepted two out of the five ministry offices found in Ephesians 4:11. We were at home with being Pastor or Evangelist. I thought engaging another minister was prudent, and it is. So, we called on another minister and I repeated what the prophet had told me. Without validating what the prophet said the other minister gave very sound counsel. He said, if you are misplaced you will serve below capacity and frustrate the Grace on you. He said, for example if you are a Professor and you think you are a kindergarten teacher, you will surely teach. But you will be resourced way below capacity. Equally so if you are an engineer and you think you are a carpenter, you will build. But you will do it way below your capacity and resources available to you will be that of the carpenter. Even those you associate with will build or destroy you. In reality professors go with professors, medical doctors with medical doctors, carpenters with carpenters, etc. The fellowship with others will help sharpen your skill. Our problem is not so much lack of fellowship as it is choosing the wrong crowd to hang out with. Know how far to go with members, colleagues, friends and contemporaries. But don’t be without fellowship – the ministry is lonely but not for lone rangers.
III. Attend educative seminars and conferences
There is a lot of information and impartation that is possible by learning from the right people. Find what you do not have and find where to get it, and then seek it out.
IV. Read books
A leader must be a reader. You will not take people farther than you yourself have gone. So read.
Read the Bible, biographies, Theologies, literature, history, etc. Don’t just study the Bible—God has knowledge and wisdom all over the place.
V. Practice
Everything you don’t use you will eventually lose. Don’t just be a professional gatherer of information. Get out there and work. It is the only way you can perfect anything you have. Find opportunities to practice what you know. Find the room your gifts open for you and use the room.
VI. Discover what you are and pursue a line to excellence.
For example, while a teacher should learn many things it will be useful to keep sharpening skills as a teacher. Content may go many directions but keep on course. Similarly, an evangelist will be a better and greater evangelist if he knew it and kept that course.
VII. Learn from your experiences.
Know what works and what does not work and adjust on your way.
VIII. Ask God how
Prayer is the best medicine in sharpening skills. God teaches your hands to war.
Let us sharpen our axe head.
ARTICLES BY DR. SAMMY GITAARI
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