“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.” (2 Timothy 1:6 NIV)
You have a gift from God. Using your gift makes you a gift from God (Rm. 12:3-8). Your gift is your voice for God. God speaks through you when you employ your gift in service to others. This is true even when your gift doesn’t involve talking. In the Old Testament God gifted certain people with varying kinds of craftsmanship, which they employed in building the Tabernacle and its furnishings (Ex. 31:1-10; 35:10-17; 30-35). And, the finished Tabernacle wordlessly revealed the glory of God (Ex. 40:34-38).
You are now a tabernacle of God. His Holy Spirit dwells in you (1Cor. 3:16; 6:19). When He came to dwell in you, He brought the gift with Him that He wants to use to speak through you. How do you know what your gift is?
For some people, like Timothy, their gifts are revealed through prophetic words and the laying on of hands when being ordained for a particular ministry (1Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6). But most of us discover our gifts as we make ourselves available for service to God. In other words, we have to get involved before we see our gifts evolve. When we get involved in serving others the Holy Spirit will manifest His gifts through us as He sees fit for the common good of God’s people and the advancement of His Kingdom (1Cor. 12:4-7).
When your gift shows up, you will enjoy using it, and you will be effective at it. That’s one way you recognize your gift – enjoyment and effectiveness. Sometimes, because of your effectiveness, other people recognize your gift before you do. However, your gift is usually delivered to you as a small ember. It is your responsibility to fan it into flame.
In other words, if God has gifted you in business, then make it your business to become the best at your business you can be. In so doing, you will help the people of God and advance the kingdom of God because how you conduct your business will speak for God. If you are gifted at loving and teaching children, then develop that gift. Educate yourself on educating children. Develop your gift of developing kids.
Regardless of what your gift may be, it is your voice for God. Let it speak for Him. Fan your gift into flame. In so doing, it will shine brightly with the light of His glory.
© Paul R Downing
