By Lisa Caprelli – Author
Reflections and any errors are my own.
Christian speaker Christine Caine delivered a stirring message at Mariners Church Irvine for Mariners Women: A Night with Christine Caine, to discover how God restores what’s been lost, sharpens what’s been dulled, and unleashes us to step back into our calling with renewed purpose and passion.
Above: Grateful to be at this event with co-author and, Lori Vasquez, from Mind Over Matter Care
It was a wonderful message about the necessity of seeking God’s presence and power before making decisions, urging believers to “pick it up”—their calling, their responsibility, their intimacy with God—rather than watching from the sidelines.
Too often, we sprint ahead with our own plans, asking God to bless them, instead of pausing to seek His will first. Caine warned that this leads to unnecessary pain, wrong alignments, and the slow erosion of our purpose.
Her challenge cut to the heart: “God, is that where You’re going? Because I only want to go where You’re going.”
Slower With God Is Better Than Faster Without Him
Caine reminded listeners of Moses’ plea in Exodus 33:15:
“If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
She called us to embrace pauses, even when we feel restless. In today’s self-promoting, fast-moving world, many prefer momentum over presence. Yet, Caine insisted that “slower with God” is always better than rushing without Him. Sometimes, picking it up means waiting for the right moment with God, not forcing the moment ourselves.
The Axe Head: Staying Sharp in God’s Strength
Using 2 Kings 6 and Ecclesiastes 10:10 (“If the ax is dull and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength”), Caine explained how the axe head represents God’s anointing.
When the axe head flies off, the work stops. Likewise, when we try to fulfill God’s call without His Spirit, we wear ourselves out. The call of God is supernatural—we can’t complete in human strength what God began in His strength.
That’s why she urged the audience to pick it up:
- Pick up your spiritual sharpness through prayer and Scripture.
- Pick up your obedience by acting on God’s direction.
- Pick up the Spirit’s power instead of swinging in your own strength.
Scripture Connection: Galatians 3:2–6 (MSG)
Caine reinforced her point with Paul’s words:
“How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? … If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it?”
This is the danger when we try to “swing the axe” without the axe head—doing God’s work without God’s power.
Don’t Just Watch—Pick It Up
Caine warned against mistaking passive gestures for obedience. In 2 Kings 6, every prophet-in-training picked up their own axe and joined the work. Today, in our social media age, it’s easy to “like” something and think we’ve made a difference. But God’s call requires active participation, not just online agreement.
Your axe—your gift, calling, and God-given responsibility—is yours to pick up. No one else can swing it for you.
Desperation as a Gift
One of Caine’s most moving statements came when she said:
“Desperation is a gift—it brings us to the end of ourselves and reminds us that we need God.”
Picking it up sometimes means picking up our dependence on Him daily—whether to keep a marriage strong, raise children, lead with integrity, or simply show kindness in a hostile world.
Key Takeaways to “Pick It Up” in the Christian Life
- Pick up prayer before making your next move—seek His presence, not just His blessing.
- Pick up obedience—pause until His direction is clear.
- Pick up your axe—engage your calling rather than watching from the sidelines.
- Pick up the Spirit’s strength—rely on His power to finish what He started.
- Pick up gratitude for desperation—it drives us back to God.
Caine’s message was a rally cry: if we want to live with purpose, peace, and eternal impact, we must pick up the tools God has given us, stay sharp in His Spirit, and go only where He is going.
