Lydia

Lydia, a servant of God

Below, Paul is sharing his journey 

“And on the Sabbath day, we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.” Acts 16:13-15 NKJV

Paul makes a special mention of Lydia. The Word of God says that God opened Lydia’s heart to heed the things that Paul spoke about. That means God wanted her to hear what Paul had to say. God had a plan and purpose for Lydia. He needed her to do the things that Paul was sharing with her from the gospel. 

The Word of God says that Lydia worshiped God. But something was still missing. Lydia had not been baptized yet. So, God opened her heart that she would be convicted that she needed to take that important step in her life. Once she did, she invited Paul and Silas to her home and stay there during their journey.

Some important aspects we can learn from Lydia is that we cannot just worship God and leave it at that. We need to come to full obedience to God’s word and do so as it is commanded by God. And Lydia did that, she obeyed God’s call. And as Lydia got baptized, so did her whole family. Praise God, hallelujah!

Another aspect, Lydia was a woman that worked and earned a good living. She sold purple. Now purple is not something anyone could afford. Only the Royals and Nobles could afford purple. Purple symbolizes royalty.

How wonderful to read in God’s word, that in an era when male dominance in every aspect of life was evident, here is a woman, who has serious and very good employment. She does not allow herself to be underestimated. She runs her business well.

God blesses her, wants her to hear the gospel, and prepares the encounter between Paul and Lydia (God always has a plan for us. He always has an appointment with us. We are never somewhere, or meet someone by chance) It is all in God’s plan

Lydia had the resources to be able to show Paul and Silas hospitality in her home. How wonderful that God provides for our needs. He blessed Lydia financially so that she could bless God’s Apostle. We as women should never underestimate the importance we have in God’s Kingdom. We should also never underestimate the importance of our jobs.

All jobs are equally important. God blesses all we do when we do it in honor and glory to God. What is important is that we are able to bless others with the resources God gives us. To help those that are in need. To serve those who share the gospel, help them, and motivate them. Show some kindness and love. And this is exactly what Lydia did.

I can only imagine what a blessing Lydia must have been to so many others in God’s Kingdom. 

May we all learn to be wise like Lydia, work hard like Lydia, and show kindness and love as Lydia did. 

Be blessed 

Written by Pastor Sandra for Women of the Word

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