Scripture:
2 Timothy 1:5-7 ESV
[5] I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. [6] 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, [7] for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Observation:
This is Paul’s 2nd litter to Timothy, who was the young pastor of a church that had been planted. He had spent a lot of time teaching Timothy the right qualities to look for people to be put in church leadership and encouraging him. Paul held Timothy very close to his heart and, at one point, even said that he considered him as a son. He stayed very close to his life, knowing Timothy’s family and how close they were. I’m sure Paul either saw or heard about how Timothy received the gifts that he had been given by the laying on of hands because it’s something he had mentioned here. Paul also knows that Timothy’s faith had been taught to him by not only his grandmother but his mom as well, and he is taking the time to encourage him to use it in the position Timothy had been called for. Telling him to fan into flames, the gifts and callings that he had received. However, it seems like young Timothy might have been a little intimidated by all this. I’m sure it was probably a little stressful… starting a church, all the questions that the congregation had, and Timothy being a young pastor probably never having pastored before. Wanting to do the right thing but not always knowing what that was. Had to be a little scary. So Paul wanted him to be courageous, knowing that the spirit of fear doesn’t come from the father.
Application:
I remember when I received my calling. To be completely honest, it scared the life out of me. I didn’t think I was ready. There were a lot of things in my life that did not line up with what I believed I had been called to do. So I ran thinking I could never step into that kind of ministry. The thing that I came to realize is that GOD doesn’t make mistakes. When HE calls you, it’s not because YOU are equipped for the job. It’s because HE wants to equip you for the task, and honestly, HE will just not back up. HIS pursuit is relentless. Believe me, I know HE chased me into some of the darkest places I never thought HE would go. Into prison and homeless camps, not to mention trap houses and drug dens. When I received the calling, I had no idea that I came from a long line of preachers and teachers of GOD’S word. All I knew was that HE had called me to something that I thought I couldn’t do. That calling was confirmed a few years later when I stepped into a pulpit for the first time as a guest speaker. After 2 weeks of study and 6 pages of notes, I believed myself to be ready for the task. However, I’m honestly not sure anyone could be ready for what happened. My name was introduced, and I walked up and took the place that had been offered to me, and as soon as I opened my mouth. It was made clear to me that I was not going to be the one speaking that day. My scripture base was James chapter 3. You see, I had been running from it for years because of this very scripture. ” Not many of you should presume to be teachers because teachers are held at a higher level of accountable. You see that scripture scared me. Because my life was still somewhat out of order. But when I opened my mouth, it was not me who taught… the Holy Spirit tool over, I got to read the scripture, but the words that were spoken did not come from my 6 pages of notes. It was confirmed that day what I believe I am called to do, and again, fear set In. I’m just not good enough, which is what the enemy whispered in my ear. My life is not in the right place, which was another tool he used. But deep in my heart, I knew. GOD had called me, and that calling is without repentance. HE doesn’t make mistakes. After a relapse and some more running. I have come to the conclusion that HE is not going to leave me alone about this, and I should just embrace it. About 7 years ago, I did just that, 8 or 9 months ago, I started really digging into what that means by writing these SOAPS and sharing them with you. In other words… fanning into flames, what I believe GOD has called me to do… and to be honest, it makes the most sense because it makes no sense. GOD will use the most unlikely candidate to accomplish HIS will that way when the glory is seen it’s all HIS and no one can take credit for it. My point to all this is… you have been called to a task for the kingdom. My suggestion is DON’T RUN AWAY. Because just like Jonah, that doesn’t lead to good places and great situations. No matter how far you run or where you try to hide. You just can’t get away from GOD’S calling. My encouragement for you is to embrace it. Dig in, find out what it is, and start fanning the flames the gifts and callings that the Father has given you. It’s much less painful.
Prayer:
Father, your plan is so much better than ours. We do not want to resist it anymore but embrace it. We know that you do not call the equipped, but you equip the called, and we know that if we have taken the time to read this… you have called us to a task for your kingdom. Please help us to fully realize what that task is and move forward on it whether or not we think we can or know how. We know that you will guide us through the process. Show us in your word what that task is and continue to build in us the desire to do it… if we are running from it… stop us. I know from experience you can’t run far enough or fast enough to get away from YOU. Surrender is the key. Help us to do so. We know that their are a lot of people that need to know who you are, and they will see that through the obedience to the callings that you have placed on us. We just want to be right in the center of what you are doing. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray, amen.