Fire

 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 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/2ti.1.6.ESV

We don't necessarily need some holy man to lay hands on us. Paul laid hands on Timothy to commission him as a church leader. We can infer from Paul's letters that Timothy was a naturally timid personality.

Even if we're not commissioned as church leaders, we're all gifted by God. Our very lives are a gift from Him. The faith to believe in Him is also one of His gifts.

God gives His church members many and varied gifts, for the purpose of cultivating the fruit of the Spirit. Paul's illustration of Timothy fanning his gift into a flame makes me imagine that God metaphorically gifted Timothy with a matchbox. It was up to Timothy however to strike a match and start a fire in the metaphorical wood burning stove of the church.

Just as disused matches are a waste, so are gifted people who fail to exercise their gifts. Paul didn't want Timothy to end up as someone who wasted their potential. Instead, he wanted him to realise his God given destiny.

'Our Heavenly Father, help us to exercise our gifts for Your glory and for the blessing of Your church. In Christ's name, amen'

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