The Story Behind the Song — Puttin’ an Edge On

The Story

Puttin’ an Edge On grew out of a simple piece of wisdom found in Ecclesiastes: sometimes the answer isn't to work harder — it's to get wiser.

An axe can be swung with all the strength a person has, but if the blade is dull, every swing requires more effort and accomplishes less. The Bible uses that picture to make a larger point about life. There are times when we can exhaust ourselves pushing, struggling, and trying harder when what we really need is God's wisdom about where to work, when to act, and where to make the cut.

That became the heart of this song.

The logging imagery — reading the grain, clearing deadwood, cutting to the root, sharpening the iron — becomes a picture of the Christian life. Some things need to be removed. Some problems go deeper than what we can see on the surface. And sometimes we need to stop swinging long enough to ask God, “Lord, show me where to strike today.”

But Puttin’ an Edge On isn't a song about sitting back and waiting for God to do everything. The chorus says:

“Work with all my heart, Lord / Like I'm working for You.”

We have work to do. God has given us hands, abilities, opportunities, and a limited number of days in which to use them. Our responsibility is to give Him our best — while remembering that the outcome ultimately belongs to Him.

That's why the song keeps returning to two ideas: effort and wisdom.

Do the work.
Read the grain.
Make the cut.
Stay in the Word.
Follow His lead.

Then trust God with where the timber falls.

What It Means

There is a difference between working hard and simply swinging harder.

Faith doesn't eliminate effort, and effort doesn't eliminate our need for God. Biblical wisdom brings the two together. We work wholeheartedly at what God puts before us, but we seek His direction instead of relying only on our own strength.

There is also “deadwood” in life that sometimes needs clearing — habits, priorities, attitudes, or distractions we've allowed to take root. Trimming what shows on the surface may not be enough. God may need to show us where the real root lies.

The goal isn't to swing at everything.

It's to ask for wisdom, make the right cut, do what God has given us to do, and trust Him with what happens next.

Key Verse

Ecclesiastes 10:10

“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.”

That verse is the foundation of Puttin’ an Edge On. More strength isn't always the answer. Sometimes we need to stop, seek God's wisdom, and put an edge back on the blade.

The song also reflects Colossians 3:23 — doing our work wholeheartedly as for the Lord — and James 1:5, which tells us to ask God when we lack wisdom.

Reflection

Where in my life am I simply swinging harder?

Is there something God wants me to approach with greater wisdom instead of greater force? Is there deadwood that needs clearing? A root that needs addressing? A direction I've been pursuing without first asking Him where to strike?

God doesn't ask me to control every outcome.

He asks me to seek Him, use what He's given me, and faithfully do the work in front of me.

Read the grain.
Make the cut.
Follow His lead.
Do what I must.
Give Him my best.
Leave Him the rest.