26 January 2018 - fire flame fanner

Today's Readings (Audio)

Timothy grows and bears fruit in a way that confounds the world. It seems to the world that he is too young, that he hasn't put in enough work to be spiritually mature. But it is God who gives the growth (see First Corinthians 3:6).

This is how it is with the Kingdom of God;
it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land
and would sleep and rise night and day
and the seed would sprout and grow,
he knows not how.

The growth is quite invisible and miraculous. It happens in a hidden way. The world has no way to see the inner workings that make it possible. But it eventually becomes obvious as the land yields fruit.

Yet for us, growth is not automatic. It is behind the scenes and hidden. It is not something we achieve with our own effort. But it a blessing of which we must avail ourselves.

For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.

Perhaps the world doesn't think we're qualified to make pronouncements about morality or the meaning of life. They would want to see the degrees and certifications to prove we are qualified. But God is the one who qualifies us (see Second Corinthians 3:5).

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
but bear your share of hardship for the Gospel
with the strength that comes from God.

Even we ourselves don't behold the inner workings of our growth in the life of faith. But, if we invite the Spirit to fill our hearts, we do experience the results. If we don't see the growth happening perhaps we're looking a little too close at something that is happening below ground level. Instead of that, lets fan the into flame the gift we have in the Holy Spirit. If we do this, we will experience growth that seems impossible.

But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants
and puts forth large branches,
so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.