2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 6 (NIV)
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.
My paternal gran had a habit of saving things for best. So the new handbag, the new jumper or the new nightdress she might receive for her birthday or Christmas, might not see the light of day as often as the person who gifted it to her would have liked.
Here in this well-known verse we see Timothy being exhorted to fully use the gift Of God he had received – to fan it into flame so it burned fully within him and so that it was fully evident that it was a God-given gift that was in use.
Timothy appears to have been a bit timid and reticent, a little bit cautious perhaps. Perhaps he was worried about stepping out in this gift in case he made a mistake. I can empathise with him in that.
But we need to get the balance right. Yes, we must exercise our God-given gifts rightly and wisely, but we must begin somewhere. We have to step out of the boat and exercise our faith. After all, it is not in our own strength we are moving. When we are given a new piece of equipment, or we learn a new skill in the natural sense, we become more confident in it’s operation, the more often we use it. The same applies to our spiritual gifts which were never intended to be kept only for best. They are intended to show God moving through an obedient servant. So let’s all fan them into flame if we need to.
Dear Lord,
I know one of my weaknesses is being cautious like Timothy. Help me to be bold as well as wise in using the gifts You’ve given me. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.