Fan the Flame

“Fan into flame the gift of God...” 2 Timothy 1:6 NIV

Are you reconsidering this journey? Are you second-guessing yourself and your quest to move forward in God? Sometimes we need a little push, a little stirring up of our spirits to keep advancing.

Even Timothy, the apostle Paul’s “son in the faith,” needed fatherly encouragement to continue in the ministry God had given him. Maybe he had shrunk back after a bad experience or gotten weary or just lost his way. But Paul noticed something had changed in him and he wasn’t about to see his son falter in the way.

“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (2 Timothy 1:5–6 NLT).

He didn’t leave it at that—a simple admonishment to keep the faith. Paul looked deeply into Timothy’s heart. Timothy wasn’t being lazy or non-committal. He was fearful and unsure. Like a wise father, Paul added, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).

Even the best of us can lose our zeal to serve the Lord. It takes sacrifice and commitment to walk through this earth as a disciple of Christ, shining your light and bringing real change to the world. You may have started strong, but now the fire is waning and you’re ready to go back to a more comfortable life, an easier way.

This is your reminder that the world needs what you can offer as a disciple of Christ, someone who believes in the living God. Your co-worker with breast cancer needs to know that God still heals today. Your neighbor whose teenage son suffers from addiction needs a faith-filled person who will believe with them for deliverance. Your kids need an example, a plumb line life to follow when the world pushes and pulls at their Christian convictions.

Fan the flame, silence the fear, lay hold of God’s power and love. Start believing again. Keep moving forward.

Pray:“God, help me fan the flame of your spirit in my life! Give me strength and courage to move forward in your power and love. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Seek: What has slowed you down? Identify the source of fear or intimidation. Then, find a way to fan God’s spirit within you to conquer this with his power and love and soundness of mind.

Speak: God has not given me a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and self-discipline!