Activate Before It's Too Late!

The Apostle Paul is having "a father-son talk" with Timothy.  Timothy must've been a "timid" boy, as Paul had to encourage him to "STIR UP" the gifts that had been imparted to him.  Tim was reluctant about accepting the full weight of what he'd been assigned to do.  Paul is reminding him that the Holy Spirit's power resides in him....and all he needs to do is RELEASE (activate) that power!  (God's already "equipped" him to do the work.)

I remember giving my mother several gifts that she never used.  She just stuck them in a closet.  One was an electric heating mattress pad, which would've kept her arthritic bones warm.  But she was too proud to use it!  Another was an afghan I made her.  (My 1st attempt at crocheting....and my last!)  She was too embarrassed (I guess) to let it be seen by others!  UNUSED GIFTS...given in love!

One of my friends went back to school in her mid-forties to get a college degree.  Her husband "paid the price" of her tuition; her husband also "sacrificed" his spare time--doing the laundry and other household chores while she went to school and until she finished.  Once she graduated, she proudly framed and hung her diploma on the wall....and never  worked a day in her life at the profession she was trained for; she never used "the gift" (all the knowledge and skill she learned at college)!  UNUSED GIFT...given in love.

God gives us SPIRITUAL GIFTS--coupled with talents and abilities--gifts that compliment our personalities and career choices.  But, so many people--so many times, do not USE these gifts! 

These SPIRITUAL GIFTS lay dormant and inactive.  Like being shut away in a closet, tucked into a drawer, or framed and hanging lifelessly on a wall.  Many "bury alive" these GIFTS!!!  We lock up our treasured gifts and bury them deep in our hearts....often forgetting that they're there....often afraid to use them!

Don't discard, dump, reject, or ignore those gifts!  Activate them....use them!!!  They were specially selected and handpicked for YOU!  They were given IN LOVE...PAID FOR at a costly price....Jesus paid the price; He sacrificed His life; He loved you so much!  Please accept His GIFT(s).  Use them for His glory!

RECEIVE the GIFT He's given you...put it to good USE!  If you do, you'll find a richer, fuller, more abundant LIFE.  You'll come to realize that YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT!!!