A Woman Like Lydia

Of all of the "conversion" stories in the Bible, one of my favorite ones is the story of Lydia.

Lydia was converted at a place of prayer. She was already doing what she believed to be the right thing - worshipping God.  But when Paul and his companions went to speak to her, her heart responded to the message.  She and all of her household were baptized.  

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 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.

Act 16:11-15

Lydia opened her heart to the message.  She responded to the message and did what needed to be done to become a Christian.  She wasn't proud.  She wasn't arrogant.  She believed what they were telling her about salvation.  She believed and obeyed.

Wouldn't you like to see many more women like Lydia?  Women who were wise in the business world, but also open to the gospel message?  Women who were striving to live their lives according to the Word of God?

I pray that you are a woman like Lydia - opening your heart to the message and obeying it, as well.  

Notice what Lydia did as soon as she became a Christian.  She opened up her home to others!  She invited the ones who taught her to come into her home as guests! She offered hospitality to others!

Later on we hear a little bit more about Lydia:

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. Acts 16:40

Apparently Lydia continued to practice hospitality by allowing the church to meet there.  Paul and Silas visited their brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage them.

Yes, I want to be like Lydia!  I pray you do, too!