Iron sharpens iron

Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another. -Proverbs 27:17

Every sword needs a blacksmith, every player needs a coach, every David needs a Johnathan.  Each of us need someone to push us out of our comfort zone.  Someone who will challenge our preconceptions, focus our energy and set goals for us to pursue. 

Men need something to pursue, to strive for and to accomplish.  Many of us grow up playing sports where we are introduced to competition.  We learn how to train, maintain and heal our bodies, we learn to prepare for action and think in the midst of battle.  The training and competition teaches us how to use our minds to control our bodies and keep our emotions in check. 

Good coaches teach self control in all aspects of life - physical, emotional, mental, personal, public. 

Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. - 1 Corinthians 9:25 

So it is for believers.  Our walk with God requires us to believe, and to believe is to trust and obey, and to trust and obey it takes commitment, dedication, work, self-control, and effort.  Don't let anyone tell you God does all the work, read His words to you.

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. - Deuteronomy 6:5

We each need someone who will challenge us to love the Lord better.  Iron that sharpens iron.