Nurturing the passion
Paul wrote to the Corinthians and the Ephesians regarding spiritual gifts. Each of us are equipped and gifted by the Holy Spirit for God’s kingdom. Isn’t that amazingly cool! Every single one of us is gifted in Christ. Wow and wahoo!
Unfortunately, in the turbulence of the world’s difficulties, life becomes too busy, too hard, too painful, and many have allowed their giftings and passion to grow cold. Paul reminded Timothy to stir up, rekindle the embers, fan the flame, and keep burning the gracious gift of God, the inner fire.
What we are given by God, we need to be diligent to be good servants and stewards of those gifts and blessings. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” When we love someone, we want to do things for them and spend time with them. Love prompts action and a desire to nurture that love.
When we cherish our love of God, our love and passion grows for God, and we want to spend time with Him and please Him. What God gives us in gifts and blessings are to be used to gift and bless others, and when we do, we are blessed.
What gifts has God given you, what blessings have you received? Has your passion grown cold? Are you unsure of your calling? Spend time with God and His word and let His holy fire rekindle the coals of your heart.
Heavenly Father, ignite in us a holy longing to spend time with You, to read Your word and obey You. Open our eyes to see and our ears to hear so that we may follow You. Holy Spirit, blow on the coals of our hearts and reignite our passion to burn bright for You!
“Stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:6 (AMPC)
Read God’s Word, “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.” ~ Hebrews 4:12 (AMPC)