When the Olympics came to America years ago, one of the most anticipated sights was the arrival of the Olympic flame. Every Olympic flame begins in Greece, lit from the original "eternal flame," and is then carried—torch by torch—all the way to the host city. For the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, the flame passed through towns and cities across the U.S. before reaching its destination.

One of the torchbearers was Harley Sheffield, a man chosen to carry the flame on his bicycle across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington. But during his ride, the expansion grates on the bridge blew out one of his tires. He lost control, and the torch fell from its holder, crashed to the ground—and the flame was extinguished.

Sheffield was devastated. He feared he had ruined the Olympic tradition and would forever be known as the man who let the flame go out. But to his relief, a backup flame—the “mother flame”—was traveling in a van right behind him. With it, a new torch was lit, and the journey continued. The flame endured.

That image is powerful for anyone who has ever felt like their passion for God has burned out. Maybe you've stumbled, drifted, or grown weary. Maybe your flame isn’t out completely, but it’s flickering low. The good news is: you’re not the keeper of the flame—the Holy Spirit is. He stands ready to rekindle what’s grown cold and fan into flame the gift of God within you.

Paul’s charge to Timothy is just as urgent for us today. Don’t neglect your gift. Don’t assume your fire will keep burning automatically. Fan it into flame. Feed it. Protect it. Give it oxygen. We can’t live on the embers of yesterday’s passion—we need fresh fire for today.

Reflection Question:

What is one way I can actively “fan into flame” the spiritual gift God has placed in me today?

Prayer Focus:

Ask the Holy Spirit to ignite a fresh fire in your heart today. Pray for the oil of His presence to fuel your gifts, your faith, and your love for Jesus. Pray that our church would never lose its spiritual fire—that we would burn bright with purpose, passion, and boldness. Ask God to show you how to use your unique gifts to glorify Him and point others to Christ.