2 Timothy 1:5-6
“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 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.”
One of the most memorable experiences of my early teen years was a camping trip with our Boy Scout troop. Our scout master, Bob Manley, was a very kind and patient man. He taught us solid Christian values as well practical outdoor skills.
One of the skills Bob taught us was how to start a fire in the wilderness without a match. The first step was to gather dry grass or shredded bark that would catch the spark. The next step was to have dry kindling ready to keep the fire burning as we added larger and larger pieces of wood.
Using a flint and steel was fairly easy. It was when we used a spindle and bow on a dry base with a notch that we worked up a sweat. As we stayed at it the friction would cause the base to begin to glow. We tapped a spark onto shredded bark. In both systems it was essential to carefully fan the spark until flame appeared. Wow!
I wonder if our spiritual life is like that spark or just smoldering. In today’s Scripture we are reminded that the gift of God is like a flame in our life. It may just be an ember or a flicker, but we are called to fan it into flame. In the woods we blow on the ember to allow it to burst into flames. Paul urges us to allow the Lord to fan into the spark of our spiritual life. Open your heart and mind to the prompting of the Lord. Burn brightly for Him!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil