The beautiful conversion story of Lydia took place in Philippi, a roman colony in Europe. But how did she hear of Christ all the way in Europe? We see God’s providence in her story as Paul and his missionary team are restricted from entering Asia as they had planned and desired to do. The Bible says that the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go (Acts 16 v 5) and instead through a vision of a man calling out for help from Macedonia, the Holy Spirit redirected Paul and His team to Europe. Thus the first missionaries arrived in the city of Philippi. We pick up the story in Acts 16 v 11-15.
“So setting sail from Troas we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Pau. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.”
Paul and his team are looking to worship on Sabbath day in a new town. They look where there is supposed to be a gathering of Jews but instead find a women’s prayer meeting. This doesn’t cause them to leave. They don’t ask of the whereabouts of the men. They simply join the women and tell them the good news. One of these women is Lydia.
This is the only place in the Bible that talks about Lydia. But these 5 verses are packed with amazing facts about this woman and how God transformed her life.
- The first thing we can know about Lydia is that she was a worshipper of God – We don’t know if she was born a Jew or was a proselyte (a foreigner who converted to Judaism) but we are told that she worshiped Yahweh and so we can assume that she was waiting for the Messiah just as other Jewish people of the time were. Isn’t it amazing – God redirected Paul so that he would end up at this women’s prayer meeting where Lydia and other women like her could hear the good news – the Messiah had come and laid down his life so that all who believe could have life everlasting? Next time you or your mom, sister, friend, or wife are at a women’s prayer meeting, don’t underestimate what God has in store!
- The second thing we know about Lydia is that she was an immigrant in Europe. Lydia was originally from Asia, specifically from Thyatira – a city well known for its unique purple dye.
- The third thing we know about Lydia was that she was a businesswoman, who sold purple clothes and other purple goods from her native city. We can assume she was in high demand as she sold these rare foreign items. She was probably like a current day influencer, inspiring the local market and fashion. We can assume she interacted with the wealthy and was herself quite well to do.
- The fourth thing about Lydia is that she had a household. We are not privy to who was part of the household – was there a husband, children, other relatives, or servants? But we know there were people who lived with her and under her care.
- The fifth thing was that Lydia’s heart was opened by God to pay attention to the good news when she heard it. God is the one who enables us to hear and respond to his truth. It was the case in Peter, Paul, and every other disciple. Her story was no different. God opened her heart to listen and respond to the gospel and it transformed her life.
- The next thing about Lydia is that her immediate response to the gospel was obedience. The Word says that she was baptized as well as her household. We can see her heart of submission to God and her influence over her household play a role as she shared the gospel with them.
- The seventh thing worthy of notice, is that Lydia insisted that the missionary team stay at her home while they were in Philippi. The Bible says, she prevailed upon them to so. We get to see how God set new purpose to her life. She was a born type- A, get-it-done kind of person, who had the talent and skill of influencing and persuading people that was sharpened through her trade of selling purple goods. She insisted that her possessions and resources were available to Paul and his team even without being asked. She was eager to serve. Lydia’s hospitality later caused then to return to her home again. The Bible says that they visited Lydia and when they had seen the brothers, “they encouraged them and departed” implying that there was a gathering of believers there, the very first Christian gathering in Europe. The first church.
As we look at Lydia, I hope we see the amazing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the very first convert in Europe. God enabled her to believe and obey him and to use all her strengths, talents, and resources to build the very first church in Philippi and thereby Europe.
When you look at yourself and feel like you have nothing to offer, remember the story of Lydia teaches us that God can and will use your obedient heart. He gave Lydia new purpose to everything she already had. She was a brand new convert. She wasn’t a theologian, yet God used her to evangelize her household. She wasn’t a church builder yet offered her home for the missionaries to work out of. She wasn’t required to host and was probably never asked to, but she was capable of filling a need and so she did.
God can use you for His kingdom building purposes. Ask Him to capture your attention and show you how just as He did for Lydia.
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