Devotion - Tuesday, February 10

Yesterday I wrote of Jesus' words regarding being "the least" and "servant of all."  Such talk often allows us to continue the mistaken notion that this means being weak, or a weakling, or something of the sort.

This morning I was reading from opening verses of 2 Timothy.  As Paul writes to encourage this young disciple, he offers him this advice:  "I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you..... for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control."

There may be a connection between these two day's reflections. Perhaps we think of the call from God to be one to timidity, to weakness, to cowardliness.   But it is not. 

Even so, the use of those three descriptive words (power, love, self-control) is interesting. 

It may be that only those with an awareness of their power can love; maybe they alone have the base from which to care not only for themselves for for another. Self-control is not an easy thing to possess. Think of the times and places where we speak an inappropriate word or do the thing which serves ourselves.

Being the least, being a servant, is not a thing for those who are timid. It is requires much support from The Spirit to our spirit.  The spirit which God has placed within us is one of power, and love and self-control.  

Might we all "rekindle" this gift - today and every day - in our own lives.