sharpen.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

The original greek that Solomon used for iron means "harshness, strength, or oppression." I think what we can take from that is the fact that "sharpening" each other can and will be a painful process. Sharpening iron isn't easy, when you hold iron against a stone grinding wheel too long or too hard, you actually "burn" the iron, making it weak and unusable. Proving that it's a slow training process that takes patience and determination. Has anyone ever put that kind of effort into you? If someone on earth has, take time to thank them, that's a rare gem. If you've never felt that from another individual I encourage you to start being that to others around you. God will honor you for your efforts and will bless you 100 times over. (Luke 8:8) God loves to see us work together and learn from each other. He delights in His creation running smoothly and beautifully, but all things ebb and flow, Although God loves to see things run smoothly, it's a process and a long hard, narrow road to get to that place in your life. He thwarts our ways so that we learn to cling to Him. I can't say that I've reached this time, nor do I think anyone ever should. When we stop accepting rebuke and encouragement, we stop growing altogether. God gave us all different talents and we're called to sharpen each other with these gifts.

"Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Eph 4:14-16

You see? The teamwork and great effort and responsibility each child of God has to each other, themselves, and our Lord? How are you doing as a supporting ligament? Are you joining with others and holding them up as one body? It's a calling to sharpen one another. No where in the bible does it say that it's easy. Love is never easy. Staying in tune with God's will is never easy. Loving one another and caring about the needs of others is never easy. Molding and pushing each other to thrive is never easy. But it's what we're called to do and it's what God's will is. No longer infants, but mature. No longer not caring or hurting just to hurt, but speaking the truth in love, for the benefit of the other person. Real loving is truly a selfless act.

Just look at the cross. Makes me wonder, who sharpened the nails that were hammered into Jesus' hands? "Jesus' nails would have been made of heavy. . . square, iron material, 7-9 inches long." (allaboutjesuschrist.org) The same material that was driven into Jesus' wrists was the same that Solomon used as a metaphor for how we should sacrifice ourselves for our brothers. The next time someone's trying to speak truth into your life ask God to help you recognize and discern what He's trying to teach you through this person. And then be thankful! Because it'll be one of the many examples that Christ uses to tell you He loves you.