Sharpen your axe

"If the ax is dull

and its edge unsharpened,

more strength is needed,
but skill will bring success." -Ecclesiastes 10:10

This verse always reminds me of Stephen Covey's lovely story which speaks to us of  'sharpening the saw'. We often feel we don't have time to stop and get our 'tools' sharpened, but we then plod along using blunt tools to try and do an effective work. The time we take to pause to get things 'sharp' is well worth it in the long run. 

Jesus practiced this in his own life too. He took time to get his priorities straight and this made his ministry deeply profound and effective.

What are you doing to keep yourself sharp for the Lord?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Product of your circumstances!?

Are you a product of your circumstances? Putting this in another way - have the circumstances you have encountered in life made you into the person you are today?

Stephen Covey argues that we are NOT a product of our circumstances. He says:
"I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions."

While I agree that situations impact upon our lives, in a greater or lesser degree, I still think that we are able to use these circumstances 'for good or bad.' For this reason, I like what Paul said in Philippians 4:10-14.

"I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am."

This is such an important lesson to try and learn. I am not there yet, but I strive to allow Christ to shape my life and not all the circumstances around me.

Living in Grace
D3LM3