Standing in the Gap

It was touching to read in 2 Timothy 1 of Timothy's heritage. His grandmother and mother were both renowned for their sincere faith and growing up in such an environment, it came as a natural consequence that Timothy had such a faith too. In fact, he became something of a leader among the churches, despite his youth. We're left in little doubt about the value of a sound upbringing, but at the same time we're left to wonder about those that haven't had access to that kind of purity and warmth. And this is where we step into the breach and become at least a small part of what somebody may have. It is true that the older you get, the harder it becomes to change, but people of all ages do have some capacity to change; they just need a motive and a new mold to conform to. Let's be just that. We're challenged to be the mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters with a sincere faith like Timothy's family, influencing those around us and pulling them not closer to us so much as closer to Christ in us.