Come & See: Life Lessons From Women In the New Testament Exemplo

Come & See: The Influence of Lois

Do you ever feel like you’ve missed your calling because you haven’t accomplished something great in your life?

Andy Stanley says “Your greatest contribution to the kingdom may not be something you do, but someone you raise.”

There’s a notable grandmother mentioned in scripture who did just that... Lois, the grandmother of Timothy. Timothy was a young man who stood out to the apostle Paul when he was ministering in Timothy’s hometown. Paul took notice that Timothy was regarded highly by those in his town but Timothy’s journey of faith to this point wasn’t likely an easy one. His mother was a devout Jew-turned Christian, but his father was Greek, and thus assumed to be a non-believer. So how did Timothy become a young man so full of faith that he stood out among those around him?

His grandmother Lois had a big influence on him. You see, Timothy’s faith was taught to him since childhood by his grandmother first and then his mother. Because they were such faithful and trustworthy believers, Paul told Timothy that he could trust what he had been taught by them was true.

We know that Lois made a big impact in Timothy’s life because Paul praises the faith of Lois, who passed that faith down to her daughter Eunice, and then onto Timothy.

Timothy’s faith and reputation made such an impression on the apostle Paul that he was asked by Paul to join him on his next missionary journey. Timothy went on to minister with Paul to the Galatians, the people of Antioch, and even serving the church in Ephesus. He was a lifelong servant of God and eventually dies as a martyr for his faith.

I can’t help but think that the godly influence of his grandmother helped solidify his faith in God and provided the boldness and confidence he needed to step out and change the world.

The next time you think you that you aren’t making a difference, don’t underestimate the power of your influence in the life of those around you, whether it is a grandchild, a young person at church or a neighbor down the street. You might be influencing the next world changer.

~Vijoy