Jeremiah 20-22; 2 Timothy 1

“If I say, I will not mention him,
or speak any more in his name,
there is in my heart as it were a burning fire
shut up in my bones,
and I am weary with holding it in,
and I cannot.”

(Jeremiah 20:9)

This is hands down one of my favorite verses.

It so excellently captures the heart of a prophet, bringing God’s word, being an outcast because of it, but nevertheless, unable to contain it.

– – –

It was a good reminder coupled with Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 1 where he says in verse 6: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands…”

Whatever ministry God has called us into, there will be a time where we need to re-kindle that flame

That uncontrollable passion we once had eventually begins to fade and we need to be reminded once again that God has called us to somewhere,

someplace,

someone,

To care for them, bear the good news to them, give them a message from the Lord.

Sometimes we need to be reminded how powerful the flame of that word is, that we can’t hold it in even if we want to.

I know for my wife and I, we recently had to make a big decision about whether to continue our pursuit of career / full-time church ministry, or to bow out now, work other jobs, and serve God there. We had a really rough year in ministry, and the next one will have its ups and down as well if we continue.

But after speaking with a good mentor, we were reminded to stir up that calling like Paul tells Timothy, and to accept the times when we may feel ashamed or outcast because of God’s word.

So whatever your ministry is, Rekindle that flame through prayer and the word, and  don’t try to hold back the calling that God has for you right where you are.

Sam

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