Lydia – A Worshipper of God
By now, most know that my sweet mother-in-law graduated to heaven yesterday, Friday afternoon. Oh happy day! So many heavenly moments that I’ll speak about another day.
On Thursday, a dear family friend, Father Jack Gleason, came by to pray for Mom. He kept emphasizing Mom’s name, Lydia, in his prayers and thoughts, It made me want to study about the Bible’s “Lydia”.
That Lydia received a prominent place in God’s Word. And, if the Bible were still being written, I think our Lydia, might have had a prominent place there too.
Our Lydia met Dad when he came to minister at her family’s church in Winnipeg, MB Canada. He was smitten with her and her with him. Six weeks later, they were married. Apparently, it was a good idea, because their marriage and their “seeds” produced really good fruit in their children and their grandchildren – not to mention the other non-biological children who came to Christ through their ministry.
Their marriage of over 51 years was fruitful until Dad’s passing parted them…..temporarily. So many lives radically changed through their ministry.
Not only did Mom serve as “the pastor’s wife”, playing the organ and leading the children’s ministry for years, she also worked at Sears & Roebuck in the children’s department. There she kept an eye out for clothes she could buy with her employee discount or get free (if a slight issue with them). She would repair the issues and then she’d take them to those families who couldn’t afford them. Those children were decked out in new clothes for the new school year. Yes, she was a true “Lydia”.
Lydia in the Bible was a “worshiper of God” and she “listened” and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul the Apostle was saying. (BTW – so did our Lydia – listen and open her heart). Once she believed, she made a confession of her faith to her whole world through baptism, and then she assembled her entire household, told them what had happened to her, and asked them to believe. They did.
Isn’t that inspiring, particularly as a woman? Lydia ran a business selling dyed purple goods, she ran a household, and she worshiped God. God found favor with her and when the Holy Spirit moved in her heart, she was open to hearing God’s words.
But Lydia did more than the words we read. She immediately started bearing fruit, bringing her household to God, and then serving Paul and his companions.
Lydia’s name appears in Scripture only twice. She was the first Gentile convert in Europe and the first believer to open her home as a worship center for European Christians. This benefited not only Paul and the early church but also the lives of future generations of believers. Her life was a model of determination, foresight and generosity that offers encouragement to us today.
In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the Counselor Who will come and bear witness to Him. He further says that we “are also witnesses” (John 15:26). Like Lydia, we can live our faith in our homes, our schools, and our workplaces.
How wonderful to know the Holy Spirit wants to touch our hearts to listen to His promptings and go where He leads us. Sometimes our witness may seem small like holding the hands of a loved one as she draws closer to her last breath on this earth, like OUR Lydia. Other times it may be through our words that touch the heart of someone yearning for connection.
Other times, a bolder witness is required of us and we’ll need to rely on the Holy Spirit for direction and the courage to act. In any case, the Holy Spirit is ready and waiting for our daily, hourly, moment-by-moment “YES” to be His witness – like OUR Lydias. Are we ready?