Billy Joel’s “We Didn't Start the Fire” is basically a rapid-fire history lesson. It's filled with famous headlines. Wars. Scandals. Cultural upheaval. And everyone I know in my generation has heard that chorus before: "We didn’t start the fire." The world was already burning when we got here.
That's always true when it comes to politics and world events. But it's also true when it comes to faith.
Paul tells Timothy to “rekindle the gift of God that is within you.” Notice that he didn't say that Timothy should start a fire. He says, "Fan it." It was already there. Of course, neither Paul nor Timothy started the fire. God did.
Timothy's faith had already been lit by the Spirit, by the laying on of hands, and by the quiet faith of his grandmother and mother. The spark was handed to him. His responsibility wasn’t to ignite it, but to steward it faithfully.
The same is true for us.
You didn’t invent the gospel. You didn’t make up your calling. You didn’t generate the Spirit’s presence in your life. You received it.
Someone prayed for you. Someone taught you. Someone modeled courage for you. And beneath all of it, God started a fire. 
But here’s the tension in all that. While we didn’t start the fire, we can let it go out.
Spiritual passion and commitment don't usually go out in dramatic rebellion. Over time, when we're not mindful, they dim through neglect and through distraction.
That's what makes Paul’s invitation to Timothy important for us to hear as well. Protect the flame of the faith God instilled in you.
Pray when you don’t feel like it. Serve when it costs you something. Speak up when fear tells you to stay quiet. Remember that God lit the fire, and others carried it to you. Now it lives in your hands. Rekindle it.
Stay blessed...john | 
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