2 Timothy 1:6-7 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. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

I think Paul was aware as he was writing this that this would likely be one of the last, if not the last, chance he would have to communicate with his spiritual son Timothy. He loved him like he loved himself, and he held nothing back. He knew Timothy’s timidity, and he didn’t want that to be a hindrance to God’s plans for him. Verse 7 has been put to music, making it very easy to remember, and God enabled me to translate it effectively into Japanese, so we sing it occasionally here. However, knowing the verse doesn’t necessarily mean that we put it into practice! In verse 6, Paul asks Timothy to remember the spiritual gift he has been given. We need to do the same! You might think that would be something you couldn’t forget, but we are experts at deceiving ourselves! (Of course, the devil does all he can to encourage and contribute to that deception.) Along with that, many of us are largely ignorant of the different kinds of gifts God gives His children. Paul is speaking here of a gift given at a specific moment through the laying on of hands, but there are many other kinds of gifts as well. As Don and Katie Fortune taught, the gifts listed in Romans 12 are analogous to personality types, and everyone has a personality! We should seek to find out what gifts God has given us in order to use them effectively, because we are accountable for our stewardship of everything God has provided.

I had the great privilege of interpreting for the Fortunes several times when they came to Japan, and my wife and I became good friends with them, staying in their home repeatedly when visiting the Seattle area. I am working on teaching their material to this church, with one session a month, but the believers can’t seem to grasp the importance, or even the utility, of it. Japanese culture doesn’t encourage “putting yourself forward” with any special abilities, which is a real hindrance to recognizing and expressing gifting. Even a retired pastor, who is a member of our church, feels that if I am going to lead study sessions, they should be on something else! I can’t change the culture with a wave of my hand, but I can pray for the believers and be persistent in speaking the truth to them in love. I can’t force them to do anything, but nothing is impossible for God, and He has gifted me as a Teacher. Some people seem to be afraid to learn their gifts, because then they will be accountable to exercise them. What they don’t realize is that they are already accountable, and knowledge will help them exercise those gifts more joyfully and effectively.

Father, this is a persistent issue, particularly in the Japanese Church. I ask for Your wisdom, Your solution, so that we may all grow into all that You created us to be, for the sake of Your kingdom and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!