Fan the Flame

I love reading about the life of Paul. Besides his amazing life-changing testimony and giving us 2/3 of the New Testament, he was an amazing leader of leaders. That is, he was supernaturally gifted in pulling out someone else’s potential to be a leader.

Paul saw tremendous potential in Timothy. He knew that Timothy had the ability to do great things for the kingdom and realized the importance of speaking this into him. Timothy had a timid Spirit, but Paul reminded Him that it wasn’t about his own ability, but the ability of the God he served; the God who had given him specific, unique, spiritual giftings.

“I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:6

Paul spoke words of life into Timothy, like Samuel did David, like Jesus did to His disciples. One thing I’ve realized about myself and the people around me is that it’s so much easier for us to identify gifts in others than it is to identify gifts in ourselves. This is why we need others who believe in us and will encourage us in our strengths, AND why we have a responsibility to do the same by speaking life into the people God has placed in our lives. In order to do this, we need to pray that God would give us the ability to see people as He sees them; to see them at their fullest potential. If we were able to do as Paul did in Timothy’s life to our brothers and sisters, how do you think it would transform our relationships? How much greater would the body of Christ be? As Moses talked about in Numbers 11:29, we should all desire to be prophets, to be able to speak prophetic words over those around us. I think about the people who have spoken God’s promises over me, who have called out the giftings they saw in me, who have prophesied about God’s future for me. I have CLUNG to their words at so many points in my spiritual journey. Their prayers and words filled me and encouraged me more than they will ever know.

“Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles.” 1 Tim 1:18 NLV

It was the encouraging, prophetic words spoken over Timothy that helped him fight the battles God laid before Him. If God lays something on your heart for someone else, TELL them. If the Holy Spirit urges you to pray for someone, DO it. You will not only be obedient in making yourself a willing vessel for the Lord to use, but you will be investing in a future leader for the kingdom of God!! I NEED people in my life who push me to do the unthinkable; that push me to do things I know I cannot do by my power alone. Timothy had a timid spirit, and yet Paul pushed him to LEAD the Church of Ephesus! He didn’t hold his hand the whole time, He urged him to THROW himself into His calling. He challenged him to rely on God for supernatural ability.

If you don’t feel like someone has ever encouraged you in your gifts or you don’t currently have relationships that build you up, be encouraged, because there is someone who has more faith in you than any human ever could. We love to talk about our faith in God. This is a great thing. He’s definitely proven Himself faithful. But I personally believe there is a greater faith, one that by far surpasses our faith in Him. It is His faith in us. Look at the faith Jesus had in His disciples. This was a group of men who had let him down, saw Him do miracles and still lacked faith in Him, even men who betrayed him, and yet He believed in them enough to tell them to go into the world “and make disciples of all nations!!!” He has the same faith in you!!

“Timothy, my dear son, be strong with the special favor God gives you in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:1 NLT

We have to be a people that believe that our potential doesn’t rest in our effort, but is contingent on the favor of God on us. What is God’s favor? It’s God doing something for you that you can’t do for yourself. God never intended for us to run this race alone. We need the people He’s put in our lives, but more than that, we need HIM. We have to have intimacy with the one who created us, who wired us, who knows us so much better than we could ever know ourselves. Only then will we live up to our full potential and fulfill the call God has placed on our life.

We by ourselves are not worthy, but He has called us worthy. Receive the encouragement others give you, speak life into those around you, and worship the one who called you His own!! Be blessed today!!