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For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, . . .¹

Each one of us is unique. We were fashioned in a particular way for a specific purpose. Upon birth we have a bent or natural abilities that need to be harnessed and developed into strengths. Through observation and involvement, a parent realizes these talents and trains the child accordingly.² Medical science confirms that these abilities may be determined. There are different Psychology tests that determine personality traits; e.g., Clifton Strengths Finder,³ Emotional Intelligence Test or EQ Test,⁴ Resiliency or AQ Test,⁵ and more. Rather than trying to improve a weakness, it would be beneficial to focus on the natural abilities—fan them into flame, so to speak.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.⁶ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you . . .⁷ God was talking to Jerimiah who felt inept to speak; God reminded him that he appointed him as prophet to the nations. He is not to be afraid; then God touched his mouth.⁸ Each one of us has an appointment and a mission to fulfill.

God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable.⁹ For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. . . . Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.¹⁰ Whom the Lord appoints he equips. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, . . . In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.¹¹

The conjunction until speaks of a future state; there is a journey—a process of transformation into a God-likeness. This process is called sanctification. I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.¹²

Expect a season of going through fire. God will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver¹³ until his children reflect the glory of the Lord—we are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes the Lord who is the Spirit.¹⁴

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.¹⁵ “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. . . .¹⁶ AMEN!