Stir Up the Gift!

In his second letter to Timothy, the spiritual son he loved so much (2Tim. 1:1), the Apostle Paul, after commending him for his honest faith, felt it necessary to encourage Timothy in the use of the ministry that God had placed upon his life. We are not told what was going on with Timothy at the time but judging from the contents of what we know as the first chapter, it would appear that for whatever reason(s) he was reluctant to step into his God ordained ministry. Paul writes, "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God" (vv.6-8).

It is not always easy to do the will of God. Surrounded by values that conflict with our own, and in environments that are often hostile to God and the things of God, it is easy for the believer to be intimidated into silence. We need look no further than how difficult it is to share one's faith in the workplace, or to speak openly about God in public places. Our culture dictates that religious convictions are a "private matter" and the more we accept that as the norm, the more our light grows dim. But as he reminded Timothy so Paul reminds us that amidst the challenges, "God hath not given us the spirit of fear." As Bible Scholar Matthew Henry observes of this verse, "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of courage and resolution, to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love to him, which will carry us through opposition. And the spirit of a sound mind, quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition, or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well, when we have strength and power from God to enable us to bear them."

We cannot afford to hide our candle under a bushel, nor can we allow ourselves to be intimidated into not walking in the spiritual gifts that God has given us. What is your gift or ministry? I encourage you to "stir it up" and walk boldly in doing the things that God has called you to do.