It’s important to develop and grow your skills every single day.
In context, the Apostle Paul is writing a letter to the young pastor, Timothy. Paul says he remembered Timothy’s gifting (or skill) while he was praying and wanted to encourage him to hone that gifting, remembering where it came from and why he received that gifting. Paul was referring to Timothy’s sincere faith as his skill set which was honed over three generations of believers and emboldened when Timothy became a pastor.
“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, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7 ESV)
Our skills, defined by our personality, character, knowledge, insight, talents, and passions are gifts from God. When we were born again with Jesus Christ when we received him as our savior, those giftings became opportunities with immense potential in God’s plan. Paul encouraged Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God”, I also entreat you to do the same. Live to your greatest potential by taking every opportunity to grow yourself.
Sometimes it’s hard to actively sharpen our skills and grow as a person. There are just so many distractions and too many obligations that stand in between us and our growth. I think at times, there’s also fear within us that permeates into our minds, questioning the motives we have for growing our skills instead of paying attention to other things. However, I am certain that if we seek to grow our skills by “fanning” (read as proactively placing yourself in opportunities of), all our distractions, obligations, and fears will fade away into the periphery, where they belong.
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