Inspiration to Make Your Day

Many people use a charcoal grill to prepare some of their favorite local delicacies like maize (agbado), beef (suya), turkey, and more. When food is placed on the grill, the heat begins the process of turning raw ingredients into something beautiful and enjoyable. In our faith journey, we are like charcoal in a grill. When we first get saved, we burn hot and bright. But over time, if we don’t stir the coals, they become covered in gray ash—discouragement, monotony, and busyness. The charcoal is still there, but it produces no fire, just ash, and nothing useful.

Fire grows only when it has fuel. Without fuel, even the strongest fire will eventually fade. The same is true spiritually. Your spiritual flame is fed by things like time with God, studying Scripture, obedience, and serving others. Neglecting these things slowly drains spiritual passion. It was in this light that the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, urging him to “rekindle” or “fan into flame” the gift of God within him. This implies a fire that has died down to embers. Paul was reminding Timothy—and by extension, you—that there is still a fire inside you. It may be smoldering. It may be buried under years of disappointment, fear, or routine. But it is still there. The gift of God—the power, the love, and the sound mind—is still alive within you.

Fanning the flame means recognizing that the power to make a difference in life is not ours alone. We must stop trying to sustain our spiritual lives through sheer human effort and instead depend on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The difference between a cold life and a powerful life is often one simple choice: to keep fanning the flame God has placed inside you. When believers do this, small flames can grow into fires that change the world. God’s Word is fire. His Spirit is fire. The pillar of fire by night was not just for decoration—it was for direction. Your gift, your calling, your anointing—these are not trophies from a past season. They are tools for navigating the season you are in. You need your fire burning, because someone ahead of you needs its light.