“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.”
2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV)
The snowmen dressed in red mufflers and black stovepipe hats stood cheerily on the dining room table. Amidst all the Christmas decorations, their presence brought the most oohs and ahs. Everyone at the party asked my friend, “Where did you buy them?”
I smiled. I had bought the snowmen candles for my friend as her Christmas gift. I thought to myself, “You did well!”
A group of us chatted around the dining room table, nibbling on sugar cookies. Holiday gaiety floated through the room. We laughed together until, all of sudden, I noticed smoke emitting from all three of the wax snowmen candles. Before I could speak, flames spewed up and out of the stovepipe hats. The candles burst into flames, igniting the other table decorations! My friend shrieked for help. Her husband, a firefighter by profession, ran into the room and doused the candles with the bowl of fruit punch that sat on a side table.
We sat in shocked silence. Instead of feeling pride over my gift, I hung my head in embarrassment. Now everyone wanted to know where I had purchased the fire hazard, because they didn’t want to buy anything of the same nature!
The apostle Paul encourages us “…to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you ...” (2 Timothy 1:6, NIV). Much like the candles burst into flames from a catalyst within, our gifts are to burst forth through the power of the Holy Spirit within us. Our God-given gifts are to be used to bless others.
Maybe you’re thinking, “That’s great for others, but I don’t have any gifts to share.” My friend, God’s Word promises “…each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that” (1 Corinthians 7:7, NIV). I encourage you to seek the Lord and ask Him to show you what gifts He’s placed within you.
Consider Romans12:6-8, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully” (NIV).
So what spiritual gift do you have that Christ wants you to use this Christmas season? I encourage you to allow your spiritual gifts to burn brightly during the Advent Season. And, as we fan our gifts into flames, let’s pray that others will see and recognize the glory of the Most High God.
Dear Lord, Thank You for giving me spiritual gifts. Please show me the gifts You’ve placed within me. Teach me how to use my gifts so that others may see You and desire to know You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Since I was gone most of the weekend to Nashville, I completely stole this from Crosswalk! But, I love what it has to say and knew it was definately worth sharing.
Love you all so much! My thoughts and brain will be back by Wednesday!
Hugs and blessings~
Monday, December 8, 2008
Burnt Snowmen
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9 comments:
What a great devotion! And I was totally imagining those snowmen on YOUR table, bursting into flame! :o)
Did you have fun in Nashville?
Hugs,
Melinda
Amen Fran,
This is a daily devotional that I receive from Crosswalk as well. I daily email this to my buddies, and am always amazed at the Lord's ability to use them profoundly.
God bless you,
Celeste
Such a lovely devotion my friend.
Hey Sweet Friend,
I don't know what got into me with the giveaways... Make sure to come back and enter if you want a chance to win "Facing the Giants"...although I bet you own that one already...with the boys and all :)
You are a ray of sunshine in this little bloggy world Fran :)
That would scare me to pieces, but it was a great reminder! :)
I like how you took something that appeared to be a trial and turned it into something God could use. I often find examples of that in the Bible, but it's the middle of the night, and I'm too tired to remember examples! Loved this, though.
Hey Fran!!!! What a story! I miss you soo much! How are you doing? I am on twitter and love reading your updatess! I tried to direct message you but it says I can't. I don't know....I'm still learning twitter! Sometimes I reply to your update...do you ever get that??? I'm still learning!! hahaa...I"m not tech savy at all. I posted a story on my blog that made me think of you and all the funny stories you share about your boys!! You can check it out at:http://lopsidedhalos.blogspot.com/
Love you and miss you to pieces!!!
Fran, I thought about you this morning because my son (5) can’t stop asking me for an Under Armour shirt. I think a buddy of his at school wears them all the time and he thinks he needs one for himself! I thought about you because you have pictures of your boys in their Under Armour shirts and you mentioned that you didn’t want to have Christmas pictures that day. Cracked me up! I guess it starts young now, doesn’t it?!
That is a great word picture! Thanks for sharing it with us! Boy I sure thought that was you though!!!
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