From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin
Back when I first moved to Wallaceburg I was looking for a sports outlet during the summer months.
I ended up joining the men’s recreational soccer league which had games every Tuesday night.
I hadn’t played much soccer since elementary school but I am a runner so relished the chance to play a sport where I could do a lot of running.
And that is exactly what I did!
Unfortunately, it did not produce positive results for my team.
I got a great workout each Tuesday night, but my actual soccer performance was underwhelming, to say the least.
An older, more experienced player took me aside and gave me some tips on how to play better.
I had noticed that he didn’t run nearly as much as me, yet he was way more successful at the game than I was.
He simply instructed me to “play smarter, not harder.”
It ended up making a significant difference for me.
In Ecclesiastes 10:10, wise King Solomon once said, “If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength. But wisdom brings success.”
By giving heed to the wise instruction of my soccer friend, I was able to get more accomplished with less effort.
Of course, that’s the other important thing about wisdom: it needs to be heeded.
If we are too proud to receive correction and instruction we will just carry on in our own, inadequate efforts and be less effective.
Which would you rather be?
