TALENTED AND SKILLED HANDS (2)

“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success” – Ecclesiastes 10:10

It’s our responsibility as human beings and Believers in Christ, to sharpen our TALENTED and SKILLED HANDS: “If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success” (Ecc.10:10). Life is not meant to be full of endless activity and busyness. Without pause, life loses its edge and flavour. A life worth living is one that takes the time to sharpen its skills. Skill-sharpening is an investment that will serve us well the rest of our lives. It’s a choice to not settle for mediocrity; to be the best in our life’s roles, by grace.

One may be gifted and talented but it takes diligence and discipline to master a craft or skill. We may be gifted, called, and talented, but even Paul admonished: “STUDY to shew yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim.2:15, kjv). To study implies learning the right way of doing things; and it involves choosing to submit our hearts and hands – to God’s Word, His Authority, His Instruction, and His Ways of doing things. Education, training, and practice enhance the sharpening of talents and skills. When we submit our gifts to God, He will lead, teach, develop, and strengthen us.

Our commitment to sharpen our skills and hone our talents is much like that of a farmer. A wise farmer will use his seasonal down time to upgrade, replace, and repair his equipment. He literally sharpens the tips of his plow, rebuilds the tractor engines, and upgrades and cleans his equipment. A prepared farmer will not only survive, but will thrive with this type of drive to always improve. In the same spirit, there is a time to execute and a time to regroup and sharpen oneself for the next move. A person with sharpened skills is an effective tool in the hand of God. He wants to use us to our full potential. Our part is to continually improve. Our activities and work will produce more lasting results when we take the time to hone heaven’s gifts and talents.

God wants to use our talented and skilled hands to cut through life’s issues, the way a sharp knife slices through a juicy ripe fruit. A skilled pianist practices the piano. A skilled writer searches out new vocabulary and becomes engrossed in structuring sentences. A skilled speaker learns how to understand his audience and communicate the same point in a variety of ways. A skilled parent quizzes other parents on how to become a better dad or mum. A skilled golfer continues to hit balls way after the tournaments end. So, we must seek out new ways to keep our mind sharp and engaged in new ideas and our hands diligent.

Books are tremendous mental skill-sharpeners. We can read about and learn from wise leaders of the faith whose writings have stood the test of time. We can join a book club to ramp up our commitment and accountability. We can attend seminars or pursue professional formal and informal courses to hone our skills in specific aspects of life. We can a variety of tools to stay sharp. Sparks fly when steel is sharpened, which means there will be some discomfort and growing pains. We’re either moving forward or shrinking backward; there is no standing still. As we sharpen our skills, we’re moving forward.

We called to steward God’s talents and gifts to the fullest – for maximised productivity and profit in life. Swinging at issues with dull tools will lead one to the brink of frustration and stagnation. Nothing sharpens a mind like wisdom from above that comes from the Word of God. We must stay sharp in every facet of life! Whatever mountain of society God has called us into – academia, business, creative arts, faith, family, government, or media – He will show us how to climb it and provide the power to surmount the mountain!