Sharpening the Tool

Chaplain Linda Miller, CTCA/SRMC

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

You might be asking yourself what the above Scripture could possibly have to do with the battle against cancer. The emphasis is on one person “sharpening” another in a similar way that one piece of iron sharpens another piece of iron. To get a glimpse into what God is saying here we’ll first look at some properties of the metal iron.

Webster’s dictionary defines iron as “a tough, malleable, and strongly magnetic metallic element essential to animal and plant life. A tool, weapon, or utensil made from iron.”

The verse says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” The author of this proverb tells us that as iron sharpens another piece of iron, so, in a similar way one person sharpens another. What does that mean? I wonder why he used the metal iron as an analogy. Together, let’s explore a little deeper.

What are some properties of iron? For one thing, it’s tough and doesn’t break easily. Because iron is malleable, it can be shaped by hammering, rolling, or pressure. Iron is a magnetic element. One definition of the word “magnet” is a person or thing exercising a strong attraction. In addition, iron is an essential element needed for plant and animal life. We humans can’t live without the properties that iron contributes to our bodies.

So, how does this relate to you as a patient who has cancer … a loved one, caregiver, or medical staff member? I believe it relates by the very fact you are working toward health and healing. That says there is toughness in you and in those with you on this journey; you don’t break easily.

At times you might feel like you’re being bent over like a branch in high winds, but you haven’t snapped! You’ll straighten up again when the winds die down. God placed strength like iron in you. When feeling stretched, you have another well deep within to dip into. The toughness sharpens those around us --“iron sharpens iron.” We draw strength from one another.

Iron is not only tough, it’s also useful. For thousands of years, mankind has used iron to make tools for the betterment of living. Have you ever thought of yourself as a tool? Tools are made for specific purposes. Could it be we are tools in the hands of the Divine Master …God himself?

Can the Master use us while on a journey often filled with treatments, medications, appointments, and discomfort? Has God forgotten why He created you just because you’re involved in the fight to beat cancer?

Your life, talents, faith, and abilities are all useful tools. Your life given over to God is a tool that sharpens those around you with good things. Outreach through you, a living tool, can take the form of passing on a good, kind word to someone in need or using your music talents to bless others, or if you’re artistic, you could make a hand-made, wonderful gift or read scripture and pray for someone in need. We each can be a tool in the Master’s hand.

We’ve looked briefly at the strength of iron and its use as a tool. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” May I ask you? Are you a tool in the hands of the Master? Are you sharpening someone with your life? Are you dipping into the well of strength God provides for His children? I hope so. I pray you are, and if you’re not, then I’d like to offer a prayer with thanksgiving, “Lord, thank you for your blessings upon our lives; strengthen us with your mighty power, and remind us to reach out and touch someone with your incredible love in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.”