RECOVER YOUR CUTTING-EDGE

And the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float – 2 Kings 6:6 (NKJV)

Elisha’s School of the Prophets had become so large they had outgrown their current facility and needed to build bigger. The eager disciples approached their teacher with the request to go fetch materials to build. Elisha gave the go ahead, sending them off with his blessings. They however pleaded that he accompany them, perhaps to provide some inspiration. On arriving at the Jordan River, the sons of the prophets immediately began to fell trees; but a problem arose. One of them had his axe-head fall into the river and sink to the bottom. He lost his ‘cutting edge’ – his enthusiasm and effectiveness in ministry. Have you lost your ‘cutting edge’, spiritual sensitivity or sharpness? There are three priorities to having it restored:

• Accept responsibility for losing your cutting edge. The fact that the young man lost something that belonged to another assumed even greater significance. Rather than point the finger at others for the loss, he took full responsibility. Whatever you have lost is something you have borrowed; something God has entrusted to you to be used in His work. You are not the owner of any spiritual and other gifts; you are simply a steward (1Cor.4:1-2; 1Pet.4:10).
• Acknowledge where you lost it. Elisha asked the young man to indicate where he lost the axe-head. Without hesitation he pointed right to the very spot. He knew exactly where he lost it. There was no human means to recover the axe-head. Divine help had to come into play. Then, a miracle occurred; the axe-head floated. Where have you lost your cutting edge? Did it happen when you stopped reading the Bible, praying daily, witnessing, attending church regularly, or when you allowed anger, bitterness, deception; or when you slid back to an old sinful habit?
• Take action to recover your cutting edge: “Pick it up for yourself” (v.7). The young man was powerless to recover what he lost. It was by God’s grace and mercy it had been recovered. Yet, Elisha wanted him to take the axe-head by faith. God wants you to PICK UP what you lost and start working effectively once again. Get back into the God’s Word if you’ve been neglecting it. Rejig your regular habit of prayer, personal devotions, and church attendance.

It’s time to recover every lost gift, opportunity, and potential. It’s time to sharpen your axe for effectiveness in life and ministry.