Throughout my life, I have found it necessary to take a step back from time to time and examine whether my life is aligned with what I say I believe.  Does my behavior really match my values or am I simply giving lip service to God? (Matt. 15:8)  I’m still learning a lot about myself, but one thing I know for sure, I am prone to wander which makes it that much more important to do some personal assessment.  The beginning of a new year is a perfect time to do just that.

It seems that for me, I often default to “middle of the road.”  It could be in my prayer life, in my Bible reading, or even the “unspiritual” aspects of life like eating healthy and exercising.  There is something that continues to draw me to comfort, apathy, & lukewarm living.  All too often, I stay there far too long before I even realize what I’m doing.  There are even times when I begin to recognize it and I simply justify my complacency by comparing myself to others- “I’m doing just as good as other people.”

It’s so easy to lose the edge.

In his book, “How The Mighty Fall,” Jim Collins states, “Every institution, no matter how great, is vulnerable to decline. There is no law of nature that the most powerful will inevitably remain at the top. Anyone can fall and most eventually do.  Decline, it turns out, is largely self-inflicted, and the path to recovery lies largely within our own hands”

Have I become so naive that I honestly believe that I can maintain my spiritual fervor, my passion for living, and my fulfillment of my purpose without doing anything?  Have I deceived myself into thinking like Peter- “even though everyone turns away from you, I will not.”  (Matt. 26:33)  Do I honestly think that highly of myself?  Do I really believe that I am immune to spiritual laziness and spiritual decline or, even worse, believed that God is okay with that?  Have I lost “the edge”- the furthest point from the middle of the road?

It is imperative, for my sake, for the sake of my family, for the sake of my church, and for the sake of those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Savior that I regain “the edge.” 

“People have lost the edge in their lives, their homes, their marriages, and their commitments to the Lord.  Week after week we may stand in church singing the songs and lifting our hands, but there is no edge to our worship.  There is no edge to the preaching.  It has become just dull routine and ritual.”  (“The Fasting Edge” by Jentezen Franklin)

Can you identify with that statement?  I can!  How often have I gone through the motions, swinging a dull ax, and wearing myself out?  How often have I relied on my own strength to accomplish the work, to solve the problem, or to answer the question?  More often than I would care to admit.  How about you?

It’s time to regain “the edge.”  It’s time to sharpen the ax and see greater results!  It’s time to sharpen the ax and get more done for the Kingdom of God!  It’s time to sharpen the ax and experience the release of supernatural power in us and through us! It’s time to sharpen the ax and testify that “He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

“Awakening 21” begins January 15 and goes through February 4.  These 21 days of prayer & fasting are specifically designed for you and me to “regain the edge.”  I trust that you will participate!