Tending the Embers

2 Tim 1:6

 

6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

NKJV

 

Have you ever been good at something? Really good? Like a sport, piano, singing, fishing, art?  If so, have you ever taken time off from doing it and went back to it?  Did you find that your skill had become rusty and your body less able to perform at the same capacity?  The saying "use it or lose it" holds true in many areas of life.  No matter how good we were in the past, we have to "steward" our gifts, talents and abilities.  This is only done as we take the time needed to keep our skills and endurance up.

 

This is no less true in the things of the Spirit.  Prayer warriors who do not pray, just become pew-sitters.  Teachers and preachers who do not dig deeply and feed in the Word of God, become dry, dusty and thimble-deep.  People with the gift of wisdom or knowledge, who fail to flow in the Spirit, become dull and lose the "edge" that it takes to hear God's voice and be used effectively to help others.

 

Why do we let our spiritual gifts go unused and underdeveloped?   Possibly for the same reason we do more carnal giftings.  We become busy; we get bored, discouraged or hurt.  We get our eyes off of the prize and became distracted by things that are not ours to pursue.

 

When God gives us  gifts and abilities, it is not an unconditional endowment.  Just like the story of the talents in our Bible, those who are faithful, are given more and bear more fruit. Those who hide their talents or neglect them do not receive the same level of favor or blessings from the Lord. 

 

Talking to others in the ministry (and in my own experience) it is easy to see that the church (universal) is filled with called and gifted people who are choosing not to use their gifts.  Or perhaps they are choosing to only use them minimally.  People who adore children are choosing to  volunteer in city league sports, but not at church.  People who are gifted musically, choose to only sing or play at special holiday events.  People gifted in administration and generosity, use their gifts vocationally, but not in the church.  When God gifts us, in many ways we can dually use those gifts in everyday life and ministry.  For instance, a person with a strong teaching gift may not only teach Sunday School, but be an instructor on their secular  job. A person with an administration gift may serve on the church finance committee as well as manage a corporation.

 

What has the Lord gifted you in?  Are you using your talents, or are you choosing to "shelf" them instead?  Let me encourage you to "fan into  flame" the gift that God gave you.  Do not let the embers die out!  Tend your gift develop your gift.  Not only will you find yourself unashamed when our Master returns, but others will be blessed by your faithfulness.

  Dear Lord, show me the areas that you have entrusted gifts and talents to me.   Forgive me for selfishly choosing to use them at my own desire or discretion.   Restore my zeal and eagerness to serve you in the areas you have gifted me.   In Jesus' Name.  Amen.