We Get Better – Week Two

When I was a teenager, the males in my family thoroughly enjoyed the fire pit on our property. While you could find them burning things all year round, I am pretty sure their favorite time for fueling fires was the end of December. Why? Because they gathered dried Christmas trees from our neighbors’ curbsides. And as you can imagine, these trees, added to the fire, produced massive flames almost instantaneously.

One doesn’t have to be a pyromaniac or a scientist to know that what’s added to a fire determines the flames’ strength. When you add water, the fire will diminish, but the flames quickly multiply when you add gasoline, wood, or other fuel.

Facing his impending death, the apostle Paul penned his last letter, the book of 2 Timothy. He opens by commending Timothy’s faith, and then reminds him to, “kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6 NASB) In other words, Paul is saying – Keep getting better. Grow. Don’t stop where you are. And whatever you do, don’t give in to complacency.

The phrase “kindle afresh” carries the idea of stirring up or resuscitating. Paul is painting a picture of a fire that has died down to the embers. These embers, like Timothy’s gifts, have the potential for dying out or for growing healthy.

Think back to that fire pit. When fuel (or a Christmas tree) is added, the flames jump high, but the fire will disappear if not stirred up after some time. In the same way, God has gifted each of us for His purposes, but the impact of our gifts depends on how we treat them. Will we stir them up for maximum impact, or will we ignore them?

Like a fire, we are either growing or declining. Spiritually, there is no neutral ground.

So what do we do when we sense our spiritual strength grow dim?

Consider Paul’s illustration again. If you want to start a fire from embers, do you simply pile on large logs? Of course not. Though the flame may shoot up for a moment, it won’t be strong enough to consume the wood. Building an intense fire begins with kindling. You can add twigs or crumpled newspaper – anything that will easily catch. Then before long, the flames grow in strength and consume the entire stack of wood.

What kindling does your life need right now? Maybe it is time in God’s presence. Perhaps it’s worship, reading a thought-provoking book, or a good conversation with a mentor. Additionally, you may need to take steps to use your gifts, whether giving, teaching, serving, or showing mercy.

Paul continues his challenge to Timothy with these words, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) For Timothy, fear was holding him back from fully activating God’s call.

The first step to overcoming a barrier is to identify and acknowledge it. So, what about you? What keeps you from growing spiritually? Maybe it is pride, laziness, feeling stuck, inadequacies, or like Timothy, fear.

While Paul points out Timothy’s weakness, he also shows how God’s character counteracts those inadequacies. Timothy was timid, but God was and is powerful, loving, and disciplined. And through God’s Spirit, Timothy was all those things too.

Growing in God involves choosing our mindset. When we set our minds on ourselves and our abilities (or lack thereof), it leads down a negative path. But a mind set on God’s Spirit brings about life and peace. Suppose we see ourselves as weak, vulnerable, or not enough – that plays out in our lives. But if we claim our place as God’s children, full of His Spirit, that too overflows into how we live.

Let me close by challenging you with these words, “Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.” (2 Timothy 1:14) My friend, God entrusted you with a great treasure. What will you do with what He has placed in your hands?

Today is the day to stir up the work of God in your life. Despite the uncertainty of the future, despite the challenges, despite the ungodliness of the world – God wants you to grow stronger and to get better.