From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 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. 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. 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.

Paul and Silas were planning on praying. But God had people “in the way” of their prayer time. And so they ministered to them instead. How often, when people get in the way of my plans, do I look to minister to them and put my plans on hold? On the way to a place of prayer … sometimes we find a divine appointment awaiting!

Paul was rewarded with meeting Lydia, a worshiper of God and a purveyor of purple cloth. I think it is telling how part of her description is a worshiper of God. She must have had something remarkable about her worship of him. Was it her all out manner of worshiping him or the way she took the instruction to heart and cheerfully served and gave to all around her? We don’t know. But we do know she was set apart for her devout and consistent and all-in worship to God. Would it not be cool to be described first as a worshiper of God and then by my occupation?

Lydia also carried sway with everyone else in her household. They completely trusted her; she had proven herself to be an advisor. So they all followed her lead and believed in Jesus and were baptized. She was generous and she was persistent. If Paul and his followers were her new spiritual family, then of course they were going to stay with her!

I love who Lydia was, she seemed to leave a wonderful impact on all around her. She was a light!

Lord Jesus, help me to be known as a worshiper of you. Keep me generous and kind. Quick to be hospitable and helpful. May I be all-in for you!