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. 2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV)
I love a good fire – not a destructive one obviously, but one built for warmth, cooking, ambience and memories. Build me a fire when we are camping and I am a happy camper. Set one on a cold winter day in our wood burning stove and I am indebted.
Circle family and dear friends around our pit on the farm and I am in my element.
If campfires could talk, they would reveal many a delightful conversation, laughter, love and silence. Ours would tell the same – family history shared, inside jokes, outlandish fish tales, and our famous Gordon and Miguel stories my husband and I told whenever we camped with our children – even a few while sitting around the fire on the farm.
Keeping the fire burning takes skill, one in which I am still learning. I cannot get the desired massive flames – nope, I get a little things struggling to survive even with much fanning. Once another member of the family steps in, the fire takes off.
Moses met God as He was a fire in a bush (Exodus 3:2). A consuming fire, but yet it did not consume the bush. God led the Israelites as a pillar of fire to give them light at night (Exodus 13:21). They could not mistake it.
The apostles, as they were waiting, per instructions, saw tongues of fire separate and come to rest on each of them (Acts 2:3). What a sight that must have been.
All of these instances, actually.
God used fire to demonstrate His Presence and His power.
The Apostle Paul knew his Scriptures and he knew the power of God. He knew God’s Presence, His power and His will. Everywhere Paul went, he spoke of these and encouraged, challenged and comforted others with God’s Word.
Knowing this, it is not surprising Paul would encourage Timothy to fan into flame a gift given to him – a gift of God.
To fan into flame means to get that fire going – from a spark, a weak flame, a struggling heat source. It is there but hardly noticeable. It may provide a source of light, but only dimly. It may have some heat, but not enough to get warm. And cooking over that flame – hopefully you have lots of time, because you will need it to cook anything over that wisp.
Fanning requires work and diligence. It requires time. It requires focused effort. Once a fire is roaring, rarely is any fanning needed. Unless, of course, one forgets to add more wood.
Is it wise to add one huge log, or smaller kindling? All at once, or piece meal? From my vast experience (I am joking, somewhat as my fires are known to fizzle out), once a fire gets going, it is then time to add the larger piece of wood, as doing so any earlier will snuff out the little that is there. Adding kindling, or smaller pieces will help get it up and going, but these are quickly consumed. A medium-sized stick is perfect to keep it going until the log can be added.
How does one fan into flame a fire burning in our Christian walk? What are our kindling, sticks and logs? Who supplies them? I believe God gives us many tools to keep our fires burning. The first one being Jesus Himself. We need Him for that spark, that flame, that fire to be burning in our hearts.
Once there, we can add the wood as needed. Scripture reading and studying is a decent sized log. So is prayer – this is the massive log at the base of the fire. It will eventually burn down, but adding another upon another will keep this fire burning for a very long time. Pieces of kindling add just the right pizzazz and a quick burst of light – worship, praise, service. Sticks can be the friendships in the body of Christ – each adding a nuance which wasn’t there before.
Suffering and trials - these add the depth required to having a powerful, hot and bright fire. Without these a fire is just a fire, but with them, this campfire attracts many from other campsites. It attracts people from all walks of life who choose to come and sit a while to soak up the heat, have a roasted marshmallow or two and bask in the glow of its embers.
Are you fanning into the flame the fire of God in you? Do you have that fire to begin with? Is your fire accessible and welcoming?
PRAYER
Father God, thank You for being a Consuming Fire, but yet, gentle as the Lamb of God. Thank You for giving me fire – the Son to give me salvation and the Spirit to give me power and purpose. Increase my ability to fan into flames this fire. Enlarge my territory with this fire to include more and more ‘campers’. May this fire have depth of character, color and be a source of heat and light for Your glory. In the name of Jesus. AMEN
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