In those early years of King James, I first learned it as “stir it up.” But in the many years of the NIV, and then the many more of the ESV I was exhorted to “fan it into flame”. What was it? It was “the gift of God in you.” An exhortation written to Timothy, but one that was also written for us.

So, since the early days of being a follower of Jesus I’ve known that I have a gift within me. Not one through the laying on of hands by an apostle, or by anyone else for that matter. But a gift produced within me by the Father (1Cor. 12:6), graced to me by the Son (Eph. 4:7-8), and manifested through me by the Spirit (1Cor. 12:7a). Each of us having such gifts, though they be different gifts. Gifts which we are called to steward (Rom. 12:3-8) for the common good of the church (1Cor. 12:7b). So, I’m to stir it up. I’m to fan it into flame.

But this morning, the wording of this well known exhortation in the translation I’m reading this year reminds me that sometimes what was once stirred up can settle down. That was once fanned into flamed can start to flame-out. And so, says Paul — this time in CSB-ese — “rekindle it.”

Therefore, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands.

(2Timothy 1:6 CSB)

Paul’s not writing to novice Timothy. He’s not giving a pep talk to a rookie coming into the game for the first time. Rather, he’s exhorting trustworthy, long-serving Timothy. Someone who’s walked a few miles alongside the beloved apostle. Someone who has planted churches on missionary journeys. Someone who has been sent back to visit some of those churches to see how they were doing. Someone who has been dispatched to churches to set in order things still needing to be set in order. Someone who has been a faithful laborer for the gospel for a number of years. And sometimes, the flame of faithful laborers can encounter seasons and trials which try to reduce the flame to but a flicker.

So, says the Spirit through Paul, rekindle it.

What was once the driving force behind why you got out of bed in the morning is now only a series of seemingly sad memories that tempt you to cover your head with a pillow. Stir it up, again. What was once a raging fire is now but a smoldering ember. Fan it into flame, again. What was once a holy determination to be faithfully exercised has instead become a heavy weight of prevailing doubt. Kindle it, again.

To take something way out of context, when it comes to the gift of God given to a child of God, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mt. 19:6). So, cling to it. Steward it. Renew it. Stir it. Fan it. Rekindle it.

For the sake of faithfulness. For the benefit of the body. By the power of the Spirit.

According to the grace of Christ in you.

All for the glory of God who has called you.