When I became an adult, I learned how to use a charcoal grill. One of the things I learned pretty quickly on a long cook was that over time the grill would cool down, not because the coals were out, but because they were covered in ash. To rectify the situation, I would lift the grate with food off, stir up the coals and blow on them. Immediately, what looked dark and grey began to glow a bright orange and I could feel the heat. I would return the grate and continue cooking the food. I learned that trick from camping. Each morning m instead building a new fire, I just had to revive the embers from the night before with a stir and blowing on them. Soon the fire was back to what it was.
In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul told Timothy, “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (NLT). Paul was reminding Timothy what we all need to hear from time to time. You don’t need new gifts. You need to reignite the gifts God has already placed in you. Over time they get covered by pressure, lack of margin, distraction, discouragement and lack of use. We can stir them up, or fan them into flame, by returning to the secret place with God where He can breathe new life into them. We must clear away the clutter in our life that has caused them to be covered and stagnant. Then we add the fuel of using them with the opportunity God has in from of us today. Large flames always start as a small spark. We can’t expect God to use us in greater ways until we’ve been faithful where He has us today.
1Peter 4:10 says, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” God has already gifted you. How are you using them today to serve others? If you have used them in a while, it’s time to stir them up, breathe fresh air on them and fan them back into flame. Join a serve team, help a ministry in the church, lead a life group or find a way to serve the people you’re around on a daily basis. Knock the ash of life off of the coals that are hidden underneath by serving someone else. God has more for you to do with the gifts He’s already given you. It’s never too late to reactivate them. I believe God is stirring something in you right now and has people who need your gifts today. You don’t need new gift. You need to stir up the ones He’s already given you.
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 