For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 2:5-7
Some people have the advantage of having grown up in the church. Timothy was one of those whose grandmother and mother had a profound spiritual influence in his life from an early age. Now, the apostle Paul was entrusting Timothy to the leading of one of the most significant churches in the first century, namely Ephesus. Timothy was reminded to ‘kindle afresh’ the gift of God. In other words, he was to nurture and develop the spiritual gift God gave him, which was apparently confirmed by others during a prayer time wherein they laid hands upon Timothy, perhaps in a commissioning ceremony. That’s powerful! But, notice that it was incumbent upon Timothy to develop the gift and cause what little fire was there to be stoked and stirred.
What gift lies smoldering and undetected and unavailable for God’s use in my life? How can I kindle it afresh?
Lord, I know that the gifts of God are to be shared for the edification of the body of Christ. Use the gifts You’ve given me. I commit again today to stir them up and develop them to the best of my abilities. Oh, give me eyes to see what You are about today.
