Finding Wisdom in Proverbsනියැදිය

Accountability

How to Reach Your Full Potential

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17

You can’t sharpen an axe from a distance.

When iron becomes blunt, another piece of iron is used to sharpen it. That process necessarily involves heat, friction, and very close contact. You can’t sharpen an axe from a distance. You have to get close enough to make the sparks fly.

Even so, one man may “sharpen” another, but he must get close enough to let the sparks fly. That implies openness, honesty, vulnerability, and the willingness to receive constructive criticism.

In the Christian life, there are only two ways to grow. One is through people; the other is through pain. It would be hard to find a more important principle than this. We learn much from books, but we learn more from life. And the best kind of teaching is up close and personal. Life on life. We learn a little from a distance, we learn more as we draw closer, but we learn the most when we are face to face.

Howard Hendricks says every man needs a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy. Paul represents that person in your life to whom you look for spiritual leadership. He (or she) is that person who keeps urging you to “press toward the mark” of God’s high calling in your life. This person could be a husband or a wife. More often, it will be a close friend or a coworker; very often, it might be an older person you greatly admire. Your “Paul” is that one key person you look to when things begin to fall apart, when your back is against the wall, when you find yourself confused about the next step you should take.

Barnabas represents that person in your life who is probably your best friend. He (or she) is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. You may not get much advice from this friend (except indirectly), but your “Barnabas” is that person who brightens your life with his very presence. Your “Barnabas” could be a husband or wife, but often will be a very close friend who can weep over your defeats and cheer your victories.

Timothy represents those people in your life to whom you are a “Paul.” They may be new believers. They might be your teenage sons or daughters. When you look at them, you see great potential for Jesus Christ. As you spend time together, you share your heart, your understanding of God, your daily walk with Christ. You let this person get close enough to see you, warts and all. This may be done in a formal way, by meeting weekly for prayer and Bible study. Or it may happen as you check in with each other to see how things are going. You need a “Timothy” in your life so that all the things God is teaching you don’t stop with you.

So, who is your “Paul”? Who is your “Barnabas”? Who is your “Timothy”?

You need a mentor, you need a close friend, and you need someone who looks up to you for guidance.

Follow Paul, be a Barnabas, find a Timothy!

Lord, I see too many blunt edges in my life. Sharpen me that I might be a useful tool in Your hands. Amen.

1. How do you answer the three questions above?

2. Who is currently holding you accountable for your own spiritual growth? If the answer is “no one,” what do you plan to do about it?