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. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me His prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 2 Timothy 1:6-8
“Paul reminds Timothy ‘to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands’, One can guess from these words how dispirited and dejected Paul must have believed Timothy to be at this time. Paul’s words remind us that much zeal is required to stir up the gift of God in us. Just as fire requires fuel, so grace requires our glad and willing consent if it is to be fervent. For it lies within our power to kindle or extinguish the grace of God within each of us. That is why Paul admonishes us: ‘Do not quench the Spirit’. The Spirit is quenched by sloth and carelessness, but kept alive by being watchful and diligent.’
John Chrysostom (347-407) in one of his sermons, recounted in Celebrating the Saints, compiled by Robert Atwell (SCM: Norwich, 2004) 64.
Paul wanted Timothy to fan the flame of the gift God had given him. For whatever reason, circumstances had caused Timothy to pause, to sit on the bench. Paul wanted him to get in the game. Is it time for you to do this?
Chyrsostom calls us to exchange sloth and carelessness with watchfulness and diligence. For Timothy, “grace requires glad and willing consent.” Or in plain terms, God won’t work through us unless we make ourselves available.
What about you? Are you in the proverbial dugout instead of on the baseball field? If so, fan to flame the gift God has given you! Don’t let the fear of suffering slow you down. Suffering will happen, but you will emerge victorious.
Your generous service depends on it.