Reflection: This is the only time during this series – during our time of ‘growing up’ together – that I’m taking us into the Old Testament. Obviously, the New Testament is more direct and explicit in its treatment of maturity in CHRISTIAN faith, but I couldn’t miss this opportunity to turn our attention to a famous yet flippantly used proverb. Like a bumper sticker or “Get Well Soon” card, iron sharpens iron can be an empowering statement used
meekly. We can throw it out there to sound supportive or more invested in someone else’s faith than we know we are. It offers the appearance of deliberately being in this together, with steely intent and refinement … but are we? Really? Do we care about the forging of others?
Question: Who is a person in your life that could become an “iron sharpens iron” brother or sister in Christ?
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for making it possible for us to be a positive and refining influence in the lives of others. Give me the patience, selflessness and godly character to be someone who, like
iron, can sharpen a Christian brother or sister. Please bring such “iron” people into my life. Amen