Reminders. We use them all the time. Because we know we’re prone to become distracted or forget.

Four times in the first 7 verses of 2 Timothy, Paul reaches for a remind/remember word. The first three times are what Paul himself remembers, and they lay a foundation for what Paul will say next:

• I constantly remember you in my prayers… (3)
• I remember your tears… (4)
• I am reminded of your sincere faith… (5)

Stemming from those remembrances, Paul urges Timothy:

• I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God… (6)

And it sounds as if this is not the first time Paul has urged Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God. I remind you, Timothy…

He reminds Timothy once again because he, like each of us, is so prone to become distracted or forget!

May I press that point a bit? In the 5 days since Sunday when we applied the Apostle’s exhortation to ourselves, have we actually remembered to fan into flame the gift God has given us?

Next Thursday we’ll no doubt be remembering and thanking God for many things He has given us. Oh, but even more importantly, let’s be reminded again to fan into flame the spiritual gift God has given us!