What are You Stirring Up

In 2 Timothy Paul tells Timothy to fan into flame the gift within him.  Have you ever tried to fan into flame a fire that did not exist?  That’s like trying to stir  up a gift that is not in you.

A few years ago I went to downtown Charlottesville and bought a guitar.  I am not even close to a musician.  So why did I do that?  Because I thought I should work on a weakness.  Who knows, perhaps if I could spend hours upon hours and learn how to play a few chords I could make a difference.  Fat chance!

When I was in college I was not a fan of literature.  As a result, my lack of interest led to me getting a ‘D’ in the class.  My professor called me in to see if she could uncover the problem in my life.  I was straight up with her.  I told her I did not like literature.  Not trying to hurt her feelings, but I was being honest.

So she proceeds to ask how I was doing in my other classes.  Hated to break the news, but I had ‘A’s in all my other classes.  Why?  Because I loved those classes.  They all centered around my major, my main interest, my strength if you will.

In the end I got rid of the guitar.  Buying it was a huge error on my part. I have since given up trying to work on my weaknesses.  Forget about those areas you get a ‘D’ in.  Focus your attention in the area(s) where you get an ‘A.’  That’s where you are truly gifted.  Stir it up as Paul says.

Have you identified what gift or strength you need to stir up or improve upon?