Perhaps you see your celibacy as a time of waiting. But what if it was one of your strengths to transform the world? Don’t underestimate your impact, even when your actions go unnoticed. The Kingdom is built in the shadows as well.

The story of King Hezekiah begins in 2 Chronicles 29. It says that he had good conduct, a heart sensitive to God. He is even compared to David! “Hezekiah did what the Lord said was right, just as his ancestor David had done” (2 Chronicles 29:2 NCV). He began by restoring the temple, the rituals to the Lord, and the festivals in His honor. Why is this so impressive? Because his father, King Ahaz, had done the complete opposite. He was angry with God and encouraged the people to abandon the Lord and turn to pagan rites.

The question here is, who could have possibly inspired young Hezekiah to turn to the Lord? Certainly not his father. Perhaps his mother was a good guide and a great protector. Or more likely, one of his favorite teachers, or a good friend whose heart was devoted to God. We don’t know; there is no mention of why Hezekiah did not follow his father’s sinful path. But behind such a transformation, in a time when faith was not encouraged, there must have been a positive influence on young Hezekiah. An anonymous influence that guided his heart in the right direction and led the new king to change the entire culture of the nation.

Are there still anonymous Christians influencing the destiny of future leaders? Why not you?

Many single women desire to have a child and want to raise them in God’s ways. But marriage doesn’t happen, nor does the child, and these women feel their dream of raising a child in God’s ways will never be fulfilled. What if God wanted to use you to transform the lives of your nieces and nephews? Or a child in your church’s Sunday school? You may never be that child’s mother, you may remain forever anonymous in the stories written about that child, but what you sow today may change all of society, or at least the future generation.

You have the power to change the world, one child at a time, even if it wasn’t born in your womb. And of course, the same is true for all the spiritual children you see at church. Pastors are often overwhelmed; they can’t care for all the new believers who come to church. Or sometimes, newcomers are intimidated by pastors, whom they seem to put on a pedestal. But a Christian in their congregation will be much more approachable; it will be easier for them to identify with an older brother in their church. What you sow today in the life of a newcomer to your church may well make them a future pastor who, in turn, will have a considerable impact on society.

As single people, we sometimes have a little more time to devote to others’ spiritual growth than married people and their family concerns (1 Corinthians 7:32-33). We have more time to delve into the Scriptures to strengthen ourselves, and we can also be more available to listen to and counsel other Christians or our nieces and nephews. Perhaps you will remain anonymous, but not in God’s eyes. This social status, which sometimes discourages you, is one of your greatest strengths for growing the Kingdom of God. Do not neglect this precious blessing God has given you! Be, starting today, that positive influence on those around you.