"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." 1 Timothy 1:6,7
On Monday, October 24, at 5:30 p.m. ultrarunner Pete Kostelnick climbed the steps of New York's City Hall to officially break the world record for the fastest run across America. The 29-year-old left San Francisco's City Hall on September 12 and headed east for 3,067 miles to finish in 42 days, 6 hours and 30 minutes shattering the previous record by more than four days. Wow! He certainly has a gift doesn't he? But to accomplish his goal, Kostelnick had to stay focused and disciplined-sleeping in an RV on the route until 3 a.m. then running 40 miles each day before breaking for lunch and then continuing for 30 miles or more into the night.
You know, as Christians, you and I could learn a lot from this ultrarunner. Pete Kostelnick, realizing he had a gift, did his absolute best with what God have him. He was focused, strong, disciplined and unwilling to let anything stop him. And these characteristics are the exact ones Paul urged Timothy to display when he reminded him to "fan into flame" the gift God gave him, developing it and using it to the best of his ability-never forgetting that, through the Holy Spirit, Timothy had strength, love and the power to be bold and self-disciplined.
Praise God not all of us have been given the gift of running long distances right? But every person, that means you and me, has been given special and unique talents and God's requirement is the same for us all... to "fan into flame the gift" God has given us that the world might be a witness of God's amazing power through us. I don't know about you, but I don't want my gift to be a small flame, I want it to be a bonfire!
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving each one of us unique gifts to be used to bring you glory. Help us, through prayer, to determine what our talent is and to work to develop it as we use it to serve others and bring you glory. Lord, let our focus be on being the best we can be at whatever it is you have called us to do. If we are called to dig ditches, let us be the best at it. If we are called to serve food in the lunchroom, let us show your love as we do it. Whatever it is, may we strive to do our best. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Turbo Style - Beckah Shae
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