If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. – Ecclesiastes 10:10, KJV

Some years ago on a trip to the beach, my mother-in-law showed me how to cast a shrimp net. For the next several years, I had periodic opportunities to hone the skill, but I never could quite master it to my satisfaction. During my attempts to discover the perfect casting technique, I tried several motions, all of which had a common element: throw the net hard! I figured a little testosterone behind the motion couldn’t hurt, so I mustered what little muscle I had and threw the net with plenty of oomph!

About a year ago, I was practicing again – and not very happy with the results – when I stumbled upon something I’d never tried before. Out of the blue, I got the inspiration to add to the casting technique the motion I use when rolling a bowling ball. The first time I tried it, voila! The second time – awesome! The third time – sweet! It didn’t matter if I threw the net softly or with vigor, the net would open up. Now when I cast, the net opens up nicely almost every time I throw it, and the secret wasn’t muscle; it was a simple twist of the wrist.

There is a cultural proverb that states, “Work smarter, not harder.” The idea behind the proverb isn’t to diminish hard work. It is simply to point out that working wisely is much more effective than working by strength alone. As is the case with all truth, the wisdom of this proverb is rooted in biblical wisdom. As the Preacher (Solomon) states in Ecclesiastes 10:10 (KJV),

If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

“Whet” is the Hebrew word “qalal,” which means “sharp.” “Profitable” is the Hebrew word “yithrown,” which means “better.” “Direct” is the Hebrew word “kasher,” which means “succeed” or “prosper.” So, Ecclesiastes 10:10 basically means:

If you’re going to chop wood and your axe is dull, sharpen it. If you don’t, you’ll have to work a lot harder. If you do, you’ll have better success, all because you had enough sense (intelligence) to sharpen your tool.

From time to time, it makes sense to step back from our daily work and examine how we tackle it. Are we acting in a wise manner to accomplish the goals God has given us? Or, are we trying to muscle our way to the goals, giving little consideration to the question, “Are we doing God’s work God’s way?” God’s way is, of course, the wisest way to accomplish His work, so it makes sense for us to regularly ask Him to confirm or to redirect our steps. As Proverbs 3:6 (AMP) teaches:

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

There is no wiser way to get from Point A to Point B than to travel via a straight line, and all we have to do to travel the smart path is to ask God to direct our steps onto it.