September 29, 2010
Today’s Lydia
Most people are familiar with the story of Paul and Silas.. the one where they are thrown into jail for casting out demons from a girl and then cause an earthquake by worshipping. Yeah. The story is a great example of how powerful worship is, but have you ever taken the time to read about what happened just before and after that?
There was a woman named Lydia. Acts 16 tells us that she was a seller of purple. Purple represented royalty at this time, so she must have been pretty well off to have the honor of selling the fabric. And, that’s great, but the bible also points out that she was a worshipper of God.
Now, Paul and Silas weren’t stupid. They went to Philippi to specifically find a place to communicate with God. They sought out this place and found a group of women by the river. Although it only says that Lydia was a worshipper of God, it’s easy to imagine that all of the women, who were there hanging out by the river on a hot sabbath day, had gotten away from their responsibilities to spend time with other women in worship. It says that she was touched by Paul’s message and baptized with the rest of her household [which must have included the other women sitting by the river with her because mostly only the women of the family spent time together]. It is here that she invites the two men to stay with her opening up the famous story of Paul and Silas.
But, her story doesn’t end here. After Paul and Silas are led out of jail, they immediately return to Lydia’s house. So, the two men had this awesome worship experience that led to this huge earthquake and chose to return to this worshipper of God’s house. They went back to encourage the men of the city. So, to elaborate, Paul and Silas felt comfortable bringing Spirit-filled moments into her home and confident in her ability to be a good hostess.
Keep in mind, it is called Lydia’s house, not Lydia’s father’s house or Lydia’s husband’s house. The house was her own. She was a worshipper of God who earned her own living and invited men of God into her home. That woman must have been one huge influence in her community. The men of God met in her home.. so, they knew where it was. Meaning, she was a cultural influence. She made her own living.. she was strong and independent. So, she was a economical influence. Also, she sold purple, so she must have been a political influence. And, she was a known worshipper of God, therefore she had a spiritual influence.
I would love to have that sort of influence.. Cultural, Economical, Political, and Spiritual? Talk about one strong (seemingly single) woman. Could each of us be a present-day Lydia? I think so.
