Let it Burn

"And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible."—2 Timothy 1:6-7, Message

There’s nothing like that burning-heart sensation when we plunge into a project, a ministry, or a craft, and think: “This is what I was born for.” While some, like Timothy, may be anointed by church leaders for specific tasks, all of us were formed in the secret place with God-breathed leanings, interests, and abilities to do everyday things intended to serve others and build up His kingdom.

But like Timothy, we may also become exhausted, intimidated, overwhelmed, and discouraged at times (our adversary seems to be tireless in trying to get us to suppress what God has uniquely gifted each of us to do). On top of that, we also have to fight cutting-edge syndrome, thinking what we do in life needs to be on the forefront of what God is doing in our day or it really doesn't count for much.

A better approach may be what my friend Nate asked the other day, "What if your grand calling is to lay the ground work for a movement that will happen long after you die?" This is exactly the kind of life God is applauding in the account of the simply faithful, obedient ones listed in the Book of Hebrews' "hall of faith"... 

____________________________________________________

"Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours."

—Hebrews 11:39-40, Message

                      ____________________________________________________

The truth is that more than being at the cutting-edge forefront of something and leading the way, our higher calling in walking out the Kingdom is to be trailblazers in daily faithfulness and Love lived out loud for others to follow or to build upon, and to keep pointing to The Way as we go...whether sitting at a desk or behind the wheel all day, or homeschooling kids, or providing meals for those in need, or laboring alone in farm, forest, or factory, or.... And in God's eyes, apparently, that is all a very beautiful thing: "these were all commended for their faith." (Hebrews 11:39)

Even so, the battle to press on as trailblazers and keep stirring the embers is real, and for a lifetime. But because the gift within us is His, we can rest assured that it also has His power, love, and confidence/assurance behind it to accomplish what He desires—in His time and His method. And often, the best way to fan the flame within is to speak aloud to our soul what is True:

"It is God Himself who has made us what we are, and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago, He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” (Ephesians 2:10, Living)

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." -Jim Elliot

[ADAPTED FROM 6-15-14]