Q:
My grandmother died a few months ago, and we all knew she had a very strong faith. I have to admit I don't, although sometimes I wish I did. How do you suppose she got that way?
A:
I’m thankful for your grandmother’s faith—and I strongly suspect she prayed for you and her whole family almost daily. She knew that her faith could become yours, and I’m sure she looked forward to the day when you would commit your life to Christ and learn to follow Him.
How did your grandmother come to have a strong faith? First, her faith had a beginning—a moment when she made her decision for Christ. At that moment God forgave all her sins, and adopted her into His family forever. And in that moment she also committed herself to a new way of living, by following Christ every day.
Then your grandmother’s faith also grew as time went on. The Bible (which is God’s Word) undoubtedly became important to her, as did prayer, and fellowship with other believers in her church. She also grew stronger spiritually by helping others and witnessing for Christ. The same can be true for us.
Now your grandmother’s life has come to an end—and yet her faith lives on. What will her example mean to you? Will it simply remain a memory that fades away as time goes on? Or will you respond by beginning the same way she did — by opening your heart and mind to Jesus Christ and committing your life to Him? Don’t turn your back on Christ, but by faith put your life into His hands today. May the experience of Paul’s young friend Timothy become yours: “your sincere faith … first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and … now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5).