Keep the Flames Alive

~~~ 2 Tim. 1: 1-3, 6-12 ~~~ Psalm 123 ~~~Mark 12: 18-27 ~~~

"...stir into flame the gift of God"

We have been given the spirit of power, love, and self-control. It is our responsibility to keep these gifts from lying dormant.

The flames of a fire dance around quite filled with energy, but the blackened ember still contains hidden energy.

Today Paul is encouraging Timothy to be attentive to his gifts; to use them and not let them cool off. Fire needs air and our spiritual life needs the breath of the Holy Spirit.

If we are to keep our faith alive and if we are to exercise our gifts we must stir them up...give them fresh air...encouraging the flames to rise up once again.

Throughout our lives things happen that cause us to allow the ash to build up covering the coals of our faith. As this gradually happens we may not even realize it until years have passed. The ash is dark thick and obscures the coals beneath.

If we are lucky someone or something comes along and stirs up the ash revealing the tiny glow of the embers still exists. Once these embers are stirred and the ash knocked aside they begin to revive and the energy can return.

As we fan the embers we begin to see a tiny flicker; the flame has not completely died away. Given the right fuel and incentive a tiny flame can quickly become a large powerful flame once again. A flame that is visible.

A flame that brings light into the darkness.

Look into your heart for any ash covered embers and ask God to help

you revive them to their rightful place in your life.

Keep the flames alive through prayer.