Many of you may remember the story that I have told repeatedly about Mrs. Avery, who stopped me in the SHS parking lot in 2009 and said I was wasted and there was a world out there I needed to motivate.
The other day, I called her and told her I still think about the day she shared why she had put me on her church prayer list. She told me, “Yes, always think about the disciples and how Jesus taught them, and then told them to go out and share.” She said, Misti, this is what we are to do; we are to share what we know about Jesus. Use our gifts and talents and share with others how they are also to go out and share with the world.
After I visited with Ms. Avery, I began thinking about Coffee with Cupcake, and that led me to 2 Timothy 1.
Once again, it was the perfect scripture. Paul wrote it while imprisoned and considered it his last letter. He had been persecuted for sharing the gospel and was waiting for execution. Paul was writing to his younger protégé, Timothy, and used these scriptures to encourage him not to be timid about the spiritual gifts he had been given, but to FAN into FLAME the gift of God.
In 2 Timothy 1:6-9 from The Message (MSG) translation, Paul encourages Timothy to fan into a flame his spiritual gift, reminding him that God gives us a spirit of power, love, and a well-balanced mind rather than fear, and that we are saved by His grace, not our own efforts. [1, 2]
This was difficult for Timothy because of the threat of persecution, but Paul was telling him to be bold and share.
Even though we are not being persecuted, it is sometimes difficult to share about Christ with others. Still, our job as Christians, just as the disciples and others in the Bible, such as Timothy, is to bring others to Christ by sharing His grace, mercy, and goodness.
We are all to fan into flame what God has given us and share His word boldly. We are to keep the fire of our spiritual gift alive and be active and intentional in using the abilities God has placed within us. God wants us to be bold, loving, and sensible. The Holy Spirit replaces being timid with courage.
Paul used this scripture to stir up Timothy. As we read it we are to be stirred up also and remember to always FAN INTO FLAMES Gods word and share with others.
One of my favorite song lyrics is the song Start a Fire by Unspoken are these:
Start a fire in my soul fan the flame and make it grow so there’s no doubt or denying let it burn so brightly that everyone around can see that it’s you, that it’s you that we need -start a fire in me.
We will be able to do this when we-
- 1. Show up for JESUS every day—start your day in the Word.
- 2. Show up for OTHERS—serve others, whether they are like you, annoy you, or are difficult to understand. That is what Jesus did; He showed up for everyone.
- 3. Show up for YOU—fill your cup before you help fill others’ cups.
WE WILL FIND JOY WHEN WE SHOW UP FOR JESUS, OTHERS, AND OURSELVES.
As Father Mike says, “You pray for me, and I will pray for you.”
As Tara Leigh says: He’s where the joy is.
As Jarren Jefferson says, “Choose to have a GOOD DAY!
Have a great week, Cupcake loves you and so does Jesus.
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