Take Time To Sharpen Your Saw

All that happened in the past is now locked in the frozen sea of our memories. So, as we leave those events behind and stride confidently into tomorrow, I'd like to help you and perhaps make the way easier for you by telling you a little story about a king and a woodcutter that can help you make the most happy time of your life - every tomorrow.

The story goes like this:

One afte
oon, the king went for a walk in the woods near his castle and he came upon a man who was working feverishly sawing down a tree.

"What are you doing?" the king asked the man.
"Can't you see?" came the impatient reply from the man, "I'm sawing down this tree!'
"You look exhausted" the king exclaimed.
Then the king asked: "How long have you been at it?
"Over five hours," the woodsman replied, "and I'm beat? This is very hard work."
"Well," the king suggested, "why don't you take a break for a few minutes and use those minutes to sharpen your saw?"
"I'm sure", explained the king, "that would make your sawing go a lot faster."
The man looked the king in the eye and said angrily: "I don't have time for a little thing like sharpening this saw, I'm too busy sawing!"

Surely, if this very busy, powerful king can take time to do a little thing like going for a walk in the woods, which to him must have been like pausing to "sharpen his saw," then it makes sense for each of us to take the time to reflect on the benefits we can get from doing the same.

In fact, when we consider what big consequences can come from little things, like saw sharpening, what is revealed to us is that there may be no really "little things" in our lives after all. I used to think taking time to pray and read my Bible a few minutes each day was a little thing that I didn't have time to do.

But, what I've learned over the years is this: the time when I'm reading my Bible and praying, when I'm thinking about God's Word and listening for God's voice and wisdom - that is actually the best way I have to prepare myself for whatever may happen later in my life.

So, the next question is: are you willing to do something to make your work easier each day? Will you plan a daily time to pray and read your Bible?

As this little story about the woodcutter and the king points out to us, it is very important for each of us to set aside a time each day for prayer and Bible reading and then, in this way: 'sharpen our saws' so we'll be prepared for whatever lies ahead!

By:Terry L. Weber

http://www.originalsbyweber.com