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Devotional
CONNECTION HOME
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December 01, 2021

Fan the Flame

December 01, 2021 by SHIRLEY RALSTON BELONGING Close friendships overseas Connecting with nationals Identity in Christ Intercultural relationships Feeling connected to those back home Purpose
Fan the Flame
  • by SHIRLEY RALSTON
  • Comment
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, for the promise of life in Christ Jesus: To Timothy, my dearly loved son. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy, clearly recalling your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice, and that I am convinced is in you also. Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”
1 Timothy 1:1-7

Have you ever done a life mapping exercise that marks pivotal points in your spiritual journey? I've done a couple, and each time, reflecting on my past reveals long-forgotten experiences that are integral to my spiritual legacy. One poignant memory is of my mother singing old hymns while she worked in the kitchen. As a young girl, those old hymns taught me a lot about Jesus long before I was saved. The memory of her voice warms my heart and reminds me of the critical role she played in my spiritual formation. She kindled a fire in my spirit that led to my belonging to the body of Christ. 


I bet Timothy had similar, heart-warming memories of his mother and grandmother. Maybe that's why Paul engages in a bit of life mapping for him in 2 Timothy 1:1-7. He reminds Timothy of the faith they share and the legacy of faith left to him by his beloved mother and grandmother. Paul impresses upon Timothy the need to keep ablaze that precious gift by passing it on to others.  


God intertwines our lives with different people at divinely appointed times. Whether it is Lois, a Eunice or a Paul, He has used someone in your life to help craft your personal and unique legacy of faith. In turn, you are doing the same for others, wherever God has placed you in this world. Be encouraged because you have been given a spirit of power, love, and sound judgment. Let that spirit keep your faith ablaze.  


When you fan the flames of your faith, you help usher others into an exceptional family. A family that will one day include every nation, tribe, and tongue. A family with an eternal destiny.  


Have you kindled a fire in someone’s spirit today? 


"This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only he can see." ~ Corrie ten Boom 

Closing Prayer
Lord, open our eyes to the impact we are having on the lives you bring before us each day. Help us to use the power, love, and sound judgment you have given us to keep ablaze our faith and to kindle that fire in others. Empower us to be a pivotal point in someone else’s journey of belonging. Amen.
Resources
Article: How I'm Carrying the Legacy of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot by Valerie Elliot Shepard This article, written by Elisabeth and Jim Elliot's daughter Valerie, conveys how she came to terms with the heavy weight of their legacy and how she carries on their legacy today.
Article: Five Essentials to Leaving a Legacy that Will Outlive You by Dennis and Barbara Rainey This article is a great resource for families. It provides an easy and practical guide for instilling a legacy of faith in your children.
Movie: Moana by Disney Most people think of animated films as just for kids, but they often have an enduring message for everyone. Moana is not a Christian film but I think you will recognize a few familiar themes. The plot revolves around the relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter (just like Timothy and Lois) and the importance of keeping alive the legacy of their people. There is also a very touching scene that is illustrative of remembering your identity ~ who you really are.
Question for Reflection

Who were the important people in your journey of faith? Have you considered reaching out to let them know how integral they were to your spiritual legacy?

Comments
Shirley Ralston
December 01, 2021

God gave me glimpses of Himself through many different people and experiences along my journey to salvation. I was fortunate to have some incredible teachers in the early years of my Christian walk. One teaching leader in particular was an integral part of my early spiritual formation. Her teaching secured my assurance of salvation – that I belonged to Christ. She inspired me to pursue bible college and seminary. I was able to connect with her on Facebook years later, and to tell her just how much her clear and accurate teaching impacted my life. Even today I can still recall her words of wisdom. My hope is to follow her example as I share His saving message with family and others in my sphere of influence.