Thursday, January 15, 2015

Fan It Into Flame

"I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God..."2 Timothy 1:6


This morning I stopped by a coffee shop at my church. I'd seen the young man tending the coffee bar many times, and he did just what I hoped he would.

He sang.

In a voice so beautiful it was almost painful to hear,  he sang stray verses of whatever song was in his head.

 I ordered my coffee and sat down. Whenever he had an idle moment, he'd mindlessly allow the wind in his lungs to caress his vocal chords,  and a glorious sound would grace the atmosphere. I found myself wishing he'd have more idle moments so he'd sing more. Each time he sang, my heart would squeeze. Nothing romantic....more like worship. Something about beautiful music made with the human voice evokes worship....know what I mean?

Finally, I asked the young man why on earth he is not singing solos in our church. He looked a little sheepish and muttered something shyly. That voice was given to him by God, and it seemed a shame that the coffee cups and the odd customer were the only ones privileged to hear it. I am not playing the Holy Spirit in this young man's life. I'm just saying. Gifts are meant to be used and shared.

What about you? What are you hiding that God intended for the world? To say you have nothing to offer is to call God a liar. You were made for His glory. Is He getting any by way of the gift He placed in you for that purpose?

I have a friend who grew frustrated with me when I slacked off writing my blog. I did not realize it mattered enough. It dawned on me that she felt the same way I feel about that young man's voice. We often discount the influence we have on people. Much more, we sit on our gifts thinking they are neither good or important enough.

Maybe Paul knew Timothy was not using his gift to the fullest. He  admonished him to fan it into flame. Maybe Timothy was unsure where to start, and Paul said those words to show him he already had what he needed, he just needed to do his part by putting it to use.

 Jeremiah tried to sit on his gift, but it was like fire shut up in his bones, and he just had to let it out. Maybe you already know what your fire is and you have been trying reignite it, but fear and insecurity stand guard at all your attempts and you say it's no use.  Yes, there is a use. Keep fanning, My Sister. You are making a bigger fire than you think. God is pleased.


Maybe your gift is just a tiny flicker right now. That's OK. Add the oxygen of practice, effort, and consistency to it.  You will have a bonfire in no time. The best part is that the bigger the fire, the more people you draw to come warm by it. They will meet Jesus there, and isn't that what it's all about anyway?

What is God prompting you to fan into flame this year for His glory?

1 comment:

  1. Georgia, first you are such a good writer!! the way you put the sentences together is absolutely poetic. Thank you for your encouragement. I know sometimes you have to feel like a voice crying in the wilderness. Trust me. whatever feelings you are experiencing in that moment, I am more than likely feeling the same way.

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