Becky Crenshaw

That is why I want you to remember the gift God gave you. God gave you that gift when I laid my hands on you. Now I want you to use that gift and let it grow more and more, like a small flame grows into a fire. 2 Timothy 1:6 ERV

Years ago I went to the mountains with my mama in the faith, Debbie.  We tucked ourselves away in a cabin overlooking the Smokies for a weekend – not much more in our bag than our Bibles, journals and books.  I was writing material for an upcoming retreat and she was there to support me — she and Jesus praying like mad.

The first night she prayed over me words I had never heard before.  She laid her hands on top mine and imparted blessing over my life.  Blessing and power that had been imparted to her from other powerful men and women of the faith — Anointing. Boldness. Courage. Tenacity.  Health. Strength.

And when I heard her speak, I thought of this verse in 2 Timothy.

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. 1 Timothy 1:6 ESV

When Paul laid his hands on Timothy, his son in the faith, the same empowerment occurred.  God imparting gifts into Timothy – callings and dreams- that were unique to him.  Power and blessing flowing from The Apostle Paul into this young man of God.

Can. You. Imagine?

And here I sit, almost seven years later, thinking back to that night of prayer.  The empowerment I felt and the “knowing” that I had indeed been blessed by her hands over mine.

And now I read Paul’s words “fan into flame the Gift of God” and sift my current life through this colander of encouragement.

Fan into flame (anazōpyreō in the Greek) meaning “to stir up,  to kindle a new, to ignite, to resuscitate.

Oh the last word in that definition.  Resuscitate.

To make active or vigorous again. To revive, resurrect, restore, regenerate, revitalize, breathe new life into. 

“Timothy,” Paul is saying, “Revive the gift!!  Restore it to new life!  Breathe on it! Make God’s gift in you ACTIVE again!”

And I hear God saying the same to me today…. “BECKY!  Revive the gift! Restore it to new life!  Breathe on it!  Make God’s gift in your ACTIVE again!”

Do you hear a similar voice today saying these words?  Has something gone underground in your heart?  A dream?  A calling?  An anointing gone unattended?

This blog.  This space is always the ember that goes dark for me.  Left unattended and unstirred.

And in my defense, I want to scream…. BUT I DON’T HAVE THE TIME I ONCE DID IN THE MORNINGS TO WORK ON IT!  MY KIDS ARE BIGGER AND HARDER AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO WRITE ABOUT ANY MORE!  LIFE HAS GOTTEN BUSIER AND FASTER!  NOW I WORK FULL TIME!  WE HAVE TEENAGERS!

I HAVE REASONS FOR MY NEGLIGENCE?  RIGHT!?

And then I re-read 2 Timothy 1:6 and realize Paul wasn’t trying to shame Timothy into action….

Just remind him. 

And instead of guilting myself for my unattended embers, I just want to remember them and pray about this call to “kindle anew.”

What has God gifted me to do that maybe I just have set aside for a season?

What about you?  A gift?  A dream?  Have you let a flame dull to an ember?

I just want to encourage us both today….. “remember the gift God gave you. Use that gift and let it grow more and more, like a small flame grows into a fire.”

We don’t need to shame or should ourselves over it.  But let’s do sift our current life through these words and ask the Lord, “What small flame is still inside of me that needs a little rekindle?”

Just a little stir of the soul is all.

And then, whatever that is …. DO IT.

You don’t necessarily have to have a Debbie or a Paul to lay hands over yours. Christ put Himself inside of you.  Giving you “everything you need for life and godliness.” 2 Peter 1:3. You’ve got this.

Let your light shine before men!  Revive your gift! Your flame is powerful and needed.  

Today.  Right now.  

Remember. 

Lord, thank you that your Word is always the same.  Show me ways in which You have empowered me uniquely to make an impact on the dark world around me.  Help me have the courage to “fan into flame the gift” that is inside of me.  In Jesus Name. Amen.