Fan the Flame

Photo by RalphSTB

It's hot and sticky out. I don't want to be outside but inside in the AC. To be honest, I don't want to be near a fire but today I think we need to fan the flame.

That's the instructions Paul gives to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6, "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."

Paul wants Timothy to develop the gifts which God gave Him. Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 4:14, that Timothy's gift is prophecy. Paul wants Him to fan the flame of His gift.

All of us have received at least one spiritual gift. Some have received more. Paul wants each of us to not neglect the gift. He wants the flame get hotter. He wants us to develop our gifts.

But how? How do we develop our gifts? After Paul reminds Timothy of His gift of prophecy, he tells him what to do with it in 1 Timothy 4:15, "Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress." 

We develop our gift by using it. As we use our gift to serve others and give glory to God, we fan the flame that's inside of us. We develop our gifts and others get to see them grow.

On this hot day, are you stoking the fire? Are you developing your gift?