The Wind Beneath My Wings

In fact both verbs (v 6 ) - “remind” (ana-mimnesko) and “fan the flame” (ana-zo-pureo) - begin with the same “up/again” prefix, to accelerate or push the movement. The gift is mentioned merely once in both 1 and 2 Timothy, probably referring to the gift of ministry in the context of 1 Timothy (1 Tim 4:6, 14), since both have the context and the verbatim of “laying on of the hands” (1 Tim 4:14) and “gift.” The reason (“for/gar”) for igniting and not ignoring his gift is that God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline(v 7). Note that God did not just give us a ministry, but also the motivation. “Fear” is NOT the regular “phobos,” but “deilia” or timidity, which is to shy away, stay away or stand aloof from taking your part, inheriting the position or becoming the person you were meant to be. It is to avoid the ministry, afraid of the risks or anxious of failure. Instead of timidity God has offered us the power, heart and mind for ministry. Power is the verve, valor and vigor, the spiritual authority to serve. Love is the heartbeat in action, or the emotional capacity. Sound mind (sophronismos) is the intellectual capacity. Sound mind is stability, sensitivity, sanity. To be in ministry is to be mature in thought, mindful of others.

Extend Your Wings to Excel in Ministry

8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you — guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus. (2 Tim 1:8-18)

In the world of nature a mother’s instincts tell her to release her young to enable their survival. Mother birds push their ready young out of the nest when it is time for them to leave, but this is done with no intent to harm. Further, fledgling birds that are around 14-18 days old (with a tail length of around 1/4"-1/2" long) begin to get curious about the world and leave the nest on their own.