I love to watch videos of babies taking their first bite of cake or ice cream. You can see when they experience the glorious nature of sugar. Eyes light up; smiles get big; and oftentimes the baby smashes their face in the sugary treat. Pure joy and delight. Until…until the sugar high crashes and the baby is left cranky, crying, and in need of a nap. As adults, we do the same thing. We reach for the coffee or the diet coke, a red bull, or if we really want some energy, we slam a couple of mountain dews. And just like babies, once we are jacked up on caffeine, we come crashing down too. Life is like a sugar rush. External enticements get us really excited to move out in faith but before too long we become discouraged and even fearful. We fail to step into God’s calling by choosing to let the flame of faith dwindle within. Today’s reading encourages us to rekindle our spiritual fervor and our commitment to carry through in what God asks us to do. Paul reminds Timothy that his stamina and resilience will not come from external vices but that Timothy already has the flame of faith within him! All the flame needs is a little kindling. A little stoking of the fire. Friends, we too have been given the gift of faith. How brightly is your flame shining? If you are discouraged today, and feel afraid or stepping into something new in ministry, don’t reach for the mountain dew. Reach for scripture that reminds you that we have been given the spirit of power and love! And we have been given the spirit of self-discipline to continue when the faith life gets hard. Where in your life do you need the flame of faith rekindled?
