The Impact of Living for God
Liz Thornton

Over the last little while, as I was thinking about what to share, I kept coming back to two names: Lois and Eunice. That was really my starting point. And as I sat with that, I felt drawn to look at some of the women in the New Testament who had such a significant impact on the early church.

What I love about these women is that they were all so different. They came from different backgrounds, had different gifts, different roles, different levels of prominence, and different things in front of them to do. But by being faithful to God in their own lives, they helped spread the good news of Jesus.

Lois and Eunice remind us of the power of passing faith on through the generations. Timothy’s sincere faith first lived in his grandmother and mother. They made sure he knew the Scriptures from the time he was young, and that foundation shaped the leader he became. Sometimes reading the Bible with our kids, praying with them, or simply turning up to church week after week might not feel like much in the moment. But over a lifetime, those little faithful things can have a huge impact.

Priscilla reminds us to do what is in front of us to do. Alongside Aquila, she worked, travelled, taught, hosted, and helped build the church wherever she was. Whether in Corinth, Ephesus, or Rome, she was faithful. That challenges me because a few years ago, I felt God say to me, “Just do each day what is in front of you to do.” That is such a simple but powerful way to live.

Phoebe, Lydia, and Nympha used what they had — their homes, resources, influence, leadership, and hospitality — to serve the kingdom. Tabitha cared for the vulnerable, making clothes and helping the poor. She shows us that God deeply cares for the lonely, hurting, and vulnerable, and so should we.

The encouragement is this: God sees your faithfulness. He sees the things that may feel ordinary or mundane. And when we each do what God has put in front of us to do, we can have a real impact. We are all part of one body, and every part is needed. Our city, our community, and our world need us to live for God right where we are.