SHARPEN YOUR AXE!

SHARPEN YOUR AXE!

 In pursuit of dreams and goals, many of us have the tendency to move too fast.  The unfortunate by-products of this helter-skelter existence are bad decisions, knee-jerk reactions, high anxiety and even poor health.  It is mission critical to regularly reserve quality time to relax, meditate, pray, think and restore ESSENTIAL BALANCE in the body, mind and spirit.

 Consider this.  A noted archaeologist once hired Inca tribesmen to lead him to a site deep in the Andes Mountains.  After some time, the tribesmen stopped and insisted they would go no farther.  The archaeologist grew impatient and then angry.  But no matter how much he cajoled the tribesmen, they would not move.  Then, all of a sudden, the tribesmen changed their attitude.  They picked up their gear and set off once more.  When the bewildered archaeologist asked why they had stopped and refused to move for so long, the tribesmen responded, “We were moving too fast and had to wait for our souls to catch up.”

 Although this sounds a bit superstitious, it does contain a kernel of truth.  MOVING TOO FAST is not only detrimental to the BODY, it is potentially damaging to the SOUL.  King Solomon wrote, “Keep your HEART [your SOUL, your MIND] with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)  Keeping your heart simply means tending to it with consistency, caution and care.  Remember this: Failure to take occasional ‘ME TIME’ could cause you to miss out on seeing ‘THE BIG PICTURE.’

 It reminds me of the story of a young man who approached the foreman of a logging crew to ask for a job. “That depends,” replied the foreman.  “Let’s see you fell this tree.”

 The young man stepped forward, and skillfully felled a great tree.  Impressed, the foreman exclaimed, “You can start on Monday!”

 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday rolled by — and Thursday afternoon the foreman approached the young man and said, “You can pick up your pay check on the way out today.”

 Startled, the young man replied, “I thought you paid on Friday.”

 “Normally we do,” said the foreman.  “But we’re letting you go because you’ve fallen behind.  Our daily work charts show that you dropped from first place on Monday to last place today.”

 “But I’m a hard worker,” the young man objected.  “I arrive first, leave last, and even work through coffee breaks!”

 Sensing the young man’s integrity, the foreman thought for a minute and then asked, “Have you been sharpening your axe?”

 The young man replied, “No sir, I’ve been working too hard to take time for that!”

 Our lives are just like that.  It’s easy to get so busy that there is too little time left to SHARPEN ONE’S AXE.  In today’s world people are more driven than ever, but are also less productive and less happy than ever.  Why is that?  Could it be that we have forgotten to take time to attend to the CORE ISSUES that define us and ultimately lead us to purpose and destiny?   My friend, TAKE TIME FOR YOU.  SHARPEN YOUR AXE!

 This devotional is especially targeted to those who always serve the needs and wants of others.  Remember: You serve better when you are at YOUR BEST! 

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!