“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6)

 Do you ever feel that your ‘flame’ of the gift of God is little more than a tiny ember – barely being kept alight and not making much impact on the surrounding darkness?

Paul exhorts Timothy to make best use of the spiritual gifts that have been given him by God. He sees this as Timothy’s duty or obligation, an act of obedience toward the giver and care for his people.

This is more than doleful duty – the joy, satisfaction and blessing from God are evident in both the user of the gifts and the recipient.

Many are deprived when one gift in the fellowship is left unused and repressed. On the other hand, when fanned into flame it becomes more effective, it is harder for the darkness of the powers of this world to stand against it, is more evidence of the power of the Gospel, and a blessing to many.

Would this Lent be a good time to rediscover the gift(s) that God has given you and fan that little ember of faith and God’s gifting into flame – for your own blessing if nothing else?

It is noteworthy that as an ember needs a breath of wind to enable it to burst into flame the same applies to that ember of faith that needs the wind/breath of the Spirit to bring us life and power?

 1 Thessalonians 5:19 ‘Do not quench the Spirit’

 2 Timothy 1:7 ‘For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.’

 

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.