Fan Into Flame

Daily Gratitude Year 4-Day 153: Today, I am grateful for the sparks that "light our fires" and those who "fan into flame" our gifts. 

There is something awe evoking about watching a little spark ignite and eventually grow into a fire not easily quenched.  Nothing says summer like a night around a campfire (or for us...a fire built in the old Weber grill) with friends. It is good. Do we every outgrow the wonder of watching the fire ignite and then take off? We take turns getting up to "fan the flame".  It hold wonder.

Fire in Biblical times was life. Now we have so many things that substitute like our electric stoves  and heaters. Frankly, I am a "cook with gas girl". You can, in the event of an emergency, roast a marshmallow over a gas burner's flame. I know.  We have. Fire is easy and convenient in our modern times. Not so in days gone by...and still in some more primitive places. 

Back in the time of Jesus and the early church, fire was used for cooking, for heating and for light. Fire has always had the power to consume, but it also brings warmth, breaks through the darkness and provided needed cooks our food. 

Fire has power. We learn to lasso it and use it from those older and more experienced.  We grow up with rules about "when you are old enough" to use the matches. Safety first, right? I love the reference to grandparents and parents...of faith dwelling with and being passed on...in this passage of 2 Timothy

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, -2 Timothy 1:5-6a

We are taught by example. Then, we must allow the Spirit to fan into flame our gifts. We must take care of "the spark" to ever see the fire. The tiny flame is fanned into a burning fire. 

I love the Spiderman quote: "With great power comes great responsibility." Today, how will you care for your spark?  How will we fan the flame? How will we care for others as their spark ignites? Do we breathe life with encouragement? Community is a great place to grow the flame and life is better together. 

Today, I am grateful for the sparks that "light our fires" and those who "fan into flame" our gifts.