There’s Something About Lydia – Part I
I’ve always had a soft spot for Lydia in the Bible. She’s the woman I most identify with because she works outside the home. Lydia, the seller of purple cloth, was a successful businesswoman in a time and place where men largely dominated business.
We meet Lydia in Acts 16:11-15 and Acts 16:40:
11 “From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district[a] of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.”
Lydia teaches us that a listening heart is a transformed heart.
A listening heart is a transformed heart.
Paul and his companions ventured out of the city gate to the river to find a place to pray. And by the river, they found some women. One of those ladies was Lydia. Scripture says she was “a worshipper of God.” Lydia believed in God but didn’t have saving faith in Jesus. As they shared the message about Jesus, Lydia was listening. And as she heard Paul speak, God opened her heart to respond.
Lydia’s transformation to a believer in Jesus Christ began with listening ears. Scripture says, “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” Romans 10:17
I can just imagine Lydia perched on perhaps a rock by the river. Her eyes laser-focused on Paul, deciphering every word he spoke. Did she lean in to hear more clearly? Did she wish she had something to write with to take notes? Did she ask him to repeat an important point? Was she hungry for more?
God speaks through the very words He inspired the writers to pen. (2 Timothy 3:16) So, as we read our Bible, are we listening to hear God speak to us? How things would have turned out differently for Lydia had she been too busy to listen, too distracted, too stubborn-hearted! And yet, at times, we are too busy, distracted, and stubborn to hear what God is saying to us.
We all need a rock of a place to hear God speak. A place to rest, to be still and quiet. Will you determine to find that place? Then, like Lydia, we can be laser-focused on God’s Word, leaning into Him, listening closely, and asking Him to “repeat” what He wants us to hear. As we listen, we will experience a transformation of the heart. And on that rock, we will find God’s heart for us.
© 2022 Robin R King
