Where iron sharpens iron

Lily Cathcart March 08, 2024 4 2

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Proverbs 27: 17 (NRSVA)

17 Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another.

I really enjoy the movement and colours that this image from Proverbs 27 brings to me. Iron meets iron in a battle of wits, likened to a battle of swords or the use of tools; fast, strong, purposeful. Of course I also hate arguing so my wits may have to be sharpened in less exciting ways.

I wonder if Esther expected her time in the palace to be quite so exciting, to need quite so much wit and strength and action.

Perhaps for both her sake and my own we should also remember the times when wits are sharpened not by force but by encouragement, and the mind opening conversations and revelations which can take place across a dinner table.

Whether you prefer friendly battles or gentle shaping conversations I pray that you find places and spaces where you can spend good times before leaving sharper and stronger to face what God and the world have in store.

Prayer:

Dear God of refining grace,

Thank you that you know how different we all are

thank you that you love us all regardless

thank you that there are opportunities to sharpen our wits

if only we have the courage and space to take them

Amen