February 7
"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.'" -Luke in Acts 16:13-15 (GW)
Have you heard anything recently about the disciple Lydia? Probably not. However, it's amazing when someone we seldom hear about changed our world. Yet Lydia altered world history! She wasn't famous, revered, or popular yet she changed the future of Christianity. It's hard to imagine where we would be now without her courage as a woman disciple of Christ. She, along with her entire household, were the first converts baptized in Europe. Lydia also founded the first European Christian Church in her own home. In spite of great danger, she gave refuge to the despised foreign missionaries Paul, Luke, Timothy, and Silas in their mission journey to hostile "Macedonia" in northern Greece. She worked boldly to free Paul and Silas from prison after they were arrested, beaten, and jailed after her conversion. Rather than seeing them as burdens Lydia offered protection. She gave generous financial support to Paul and Luke. Without her courage Europe could still be pagan and we may still be worshipping Roman gods. The concept of hospitality is related to the word "hospital." Whenever you open your home to care for others, you are offering hospitality. The result is others will find physical, spiritual, and emotional help. Lydia made her home a "hospital" for hurting souls. So can you when you offer God's love!
Although Lydia isn't famous, her courage changed the world. While we don't hear much about her now, she ranks among the most influential of disciples. The church in her home Lydia pastored was among the most important in early Christianity. Her faithful courage changed the world. So can your quiet faithfulness.
Prayer: God, May I be as courageous as Lydia. Amen.
Meditation For The Day: Fame is fleeting. Faithfulness remains!
Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Winter Renewal Paperback – November 25, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)
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