How do we keep our spiritual fire burning?
A fire needs wood to keep burning. If left to itself the fire will go out. It needs to be built, stoked to keep it going. Passion for God is like that. Romans 12:11 says, "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord." Prayer strengthens our relationship with God, and it also strengthens the relationship between fellow Christians.
In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul encourages Timothy by saying, “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. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives power, love and self-discipline."
In the scripture above, Paul is telling Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God that Timothy had received.
What is the gift God has given you to put into practice to enable you to be fruitful in the Christian life? Are you able to greet someone for the first time and hold a conversation with them for a few minutes of your time? Fear is one of the giants that keep us from talking to people. The thought of approaching people to initiate conversation can be uncomfortable because of the fear of rejection. But the good news is, God can as He sees us, use us of opportunities that come across our paths.
Small beginnings
During my weekly travels to work by bus and train, I met many young and old people who were also using public transport to work and school. Some interesting and meaningful conversations with them opened up opportunities to get to know them. The offer to pray and give a Scripture verse to encourage someone was a privilege.
Some became long-time friends even to this day.
Those were the days of "small beginnings." for me. These meaningful conversations were helpful to keep me active in building a desire to see myself as being salt and light amongst other people. The more I did it, the more I got out of it. I was praying more than I would normally because I needed God's help to have the right words to say.
I know it pleases God when we are actively about doing his work. And I do believe that 'practice' enables us to be more confident witnesses for Christ.
What is your gift?
God is faithful! He will always bring people across our paths providing opportunities for us to use our gifts; and to do acts of kindness towards meeting their needs. I was blessed to turn the opportunities I was given and turn them into times when God was introduced into the conversations. When we tell others about what God has done for us, we open the door for God to enter into someone else's life. And it's a time when we tell others of God's redeeming work in our lives. That in our times of weakness, we seek spiritual support from the churches we belong to. We tell of our relationship with God and how we made it through tough times. We recall that we know better now than we did then. And we pray these things into other people's lives as God did for us. God is able to do for them if they want to believe and accept His help. God was there in our times of weakness, and He will always be with us.
When we think about it, no people are lining up asking us to pray for them or to share the good news of the gospel. We have to go to them. I believe there will be fewer strangers in our communities if we take the time to slow down and talk to some of these people we meet in our daily lives. Therefore, we need to be willing to seek God to help lead us daily to find those opportunities we need to build our spiritual passion.
While reading this post, are you thinking about similar experiences you have had of building your spiritual passion? I encourage you to share these with someone who may be waiting to hear from you.
Prayer:
Dear God, breathe afresh on us. Stir up the gift that is in us so we can fan into flame the spark you have put inside us. Give us boldness to speak life and hope into those people you bring across our paths needing You. Help us to shine brighter in these dark days. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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