June 5 “IRON SHARPENS IRON” Proverbs 27:17
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” (Proverbs 27:17 NLT)
Iron is an extremely hard metal. When this beautiful proverb was written, the act of sharpening iron was a laborious and time-consuming task that required skill and hard work! The completion of the process required attention to detail and an awareness of the process. The author of this amazing proverb was aware of the comparisons to relationships in our living and the necessary responsibilities that come with being as true friend! Relationships are not easy, and they require effort and maintenance for them to work smoothly and efficiently! Like sharpening iron, relationships require commitment, awareness, and an investment of time and talents! When we commit to being a true friend, there is a certain level of trust that must exist! Think about it! In order to achieve a level of kinship where two individuals can point out the shortcomings and flaws of the other, and to assist in the “smoothing out” of the issues, requires a “Trust” in the other person that is more than a casual relationship! This kind of relationship is not instant, it requires time, commitment and a willingness to submit our egos to another human being! We were created for relationships with family and friends and God intended for humans to enjoy the companionship of fellow humans, and a relationship with Him! In this twisted and chaotic world, where human relationships are not valued as important, we are witnessing broken relationships, fractured homes, violence and conflicts on every corner of life. How blessed that we are to have a good friend, a companion, that will walk beside us and to help us and to point out when we go astray and willing to remind us of our commitments and to insist that we “straighten up!” A good friend is worth every effort to cultivate that relationship and it is worth the necessary efforts to “Sharpen Each Other!” We are to help others, assist others in their spiritual journey, “sharpen others” along the way, and be grateful that we have a friend that will assist us, “sharpen us,” and be that Good Friend! I have such a friend! I pray that you have a friend that will encourage you and support you, and is willing to “Sharpen” you, when the need arises! I am excited that God has brought people into my life that are not afraid to help me smooth out my rough spots and are willing to be the “Iron” for me! I pray that God will empower me to be the “Iron” for others! How about you? Stay Strong, Stay Focused… THE BEST IS YET TO BE!