Gateway to the West

Scripture: On the Sabbath we went out of the city to a riverside, where prayer was customarily offered. And we sat down and spoke to the women who had assembled. A woman named Lydia, a seller of purple fabric of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard us. The Lord opened her heart to acknowledge what Paul said. When she and her household were baptized, she entreated us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and remain there.” And she persuaded us. Acts 16:13-15

Observation: Paul has traveled to Philippi in Greece, in what would today be recognized as Europe. There we know he will establish one of the historic churches, and he will continue to bring the good news to the region and eventually to Rome. However, his work starts with one woman - Lydia - known simply as a seller of purple fabric. She believes, is baptized, and ... becomes the very first European or "western" Christian.

As God knows all hearts and actions, this then was not accidental. God introduced Jesus to what we would consider "the west", and what even then they knew was outside of the middle east, through the faith of a simple woman. Lydia sells cloth which implicitly is special because of her ability to achieve a certain color of dye. However, her family status is unknown (her "household" is baptized but that is vague so she probably isn't married), and humble (she is just a local woman who has come to pray at the river). She hosts Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke in her home, gives them added rest later in this same chapter when they are released from prison, and ... is never mentioned again.

Application: In God's sight, the great event of belief in Jesus is not all the great works that can be done by believers, but it is the humble act of belief that results in eternal salvation. Lydia is special not because of anything she did, but because she was simply willing to listen, believe, and commit to a faith in Jesus.

As I serve in Alpha, I think I have forgotten this. I see several men who are regularly attending church and talking about Jesus, but ... am I giving them credit for some words and deeds without knowing if their hearts have committed? God doesn't care about the deeds until the heart is committed. I need to remain faithful in my service. Instead of thinking I've been handed an unrewarding job of simply leading a conversation of young Christians, I need to consider ... maybe I have been handed the tough job of leading a conversation of young churchgoers through the task of owning and committing to faith in Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, today I pray for Jake, Ryan, JP, Elijah, Jake, and Jeff. I see a possibility them covering up a lack of commitment through words and deeds. May those who are not actually believers find faith and accept Jesus and Messiah. May those who are believers find a depth of faith that amplifies your love. And may I stay faithful to your call and your commands. My answer is yes. Amen.