Verse: 2
Timothy 1:6 “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.”
Message: Paul’s
letter to Timothy begins with Paul’s typical thanks for workers and the work. He
mentions earlier in the chapter his practice of praying for everyone which
includes Timothy’s mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois. He moves on in this
personal letter to Timothy with an appeal and, I think, a reminder of Timothy’s
responsibility to fan into flame the gift of God which he received when Paul laid
his hands on him.
The practice
of laying on hands is ancient. The Hebrews used this ritual to bless, to
ordain, or to pass on authority. It is still the practice in some churches to
actually place your hands on someone while praying that the Holy Spirit be in
them or that they be healed. I participated in these “laying on of hands” rituals
while in non-denominational and Full-Gospel Assembly churches. Having
participated in services in which someone put their hands on, not over, your
head, or on your shoulders, I know it can be a solemn event filled with expectation
and emotion. The weight of another’s hands on you confers and transfers something.
It is intimate. For sure, when you expect that transference of power or the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the expectation adds to the effect. On the other
hand, the fact that you feel something is not just psychological mumbo jumbo
spurred by human expectations. Something special happens when we are touched.
Touch is used by all parts of God’s
creation in both negative and positive ways. A study in Developmental
Review found multiple physiological and biochemical changes that occur
due to touch. These changes occur whether the touch is negative or positive.
Let’s assume the laying on of hands is done with consent in a positive, safe environment.
Add now to the expectations of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to those positive
experiences of lowered blood pressure, decreased heart rate and cortisol, and
the increase of oxytocin. In this sense, laying on of hands creates a powerful
holistic experience.
It appears from our letter that
these benefits do not last. It isn’t that you have to keep getting, as they
called it in my charismatic churches, baptized in the Spirit, but there
is something about the process of growth that is stunted if you don’t have something
that fans it into a flame. Wesley understood this. He advocated that Christians
practice holiness in speech and in their practices; and that they participate
in small groups that would help to spiritually feed and to hold accountable.
This is the church! We feed, support, and help fan into flame the gift of
God.
Touch is not available to many
during this time of Covid-19. As someone who lives alone, I challenge us to
think about ways that we can keep the flame alive. Perhaps think of it this way.
One sense is not going to be able to be used to be supportive and to show love.
How can I increase the use of the other 4, or 5 depending on if you include
extra-sensory perception, so that I am both receiving and giving?
This pandemic, while difficult and challenging,
can offer some great opportunities to train other parts of ourselves. Don’t let
it pass you by or use it to reinforce negative isolationism. Fan the flame. Please,
pray with me.
Closing prayer: Dear Lord, what an opportunity! I now have
more time than before to lean on you and others. I don’t want to be trite here.
I am worried. I am scared. I have bills and I need human touch. But I know in
all things you are able to see me through this. Help me to feel your presence
and to sense the touch of your Holy Spirit. Help me to do more than to survive
this. Help me to thrive. In your Holy Name, I pray. Amen.
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