The Woman Who Helped Change the World

the woman who helped change the world

By Carole Towriss –

Lydia pressed her stylus into the wax tablet, marking the number of fresh rolls of purple cloth next to that of the bundles of uncolored fabric. She glanced at the vats of dye, quickly counted them, and added that number as well. Setting the tablet aside, she grabbed her cloak and hurried outside, where her servants waited.

The sweet scent of myrtle blossoms rode on the breeze, and the birds chirped in the trees as they walked to the riverbanks. Just being in the presence of these women lifted Lydia’s spirit. About half were Jews, who came to pray to the one they called Yahweh, a living God. The others were like herself, Greeks or Romans who were seeking something more than the gods of Olympus.

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The gods she had been raised to fear had never given her anything. Never taken away her fears, never given her peace, never covered her transgressions—and they were numerous. If only she could forget the many, many mistakes that littered the path of her life. Offenses and sins she’d been able to hide from almost everyone so far. If anyone ever found out…

She bowed her head and recited the Shema along with the others. “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.” The oldest of their group, Elizabeth, stood to read from the prophets.

Their time together was coming to an end when four men joined them.

Gasping, Lydia glanced at the others. No men had ever been among them. Was it even allowed?

Elizabeth rose. “May I help you, sir?”

“My name is Paul, and these are my companions, Silas, Luke, and Timothy. I am a teacher, and I thought I might offer some encouragement to you, if you are willing.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Of course. We’d be delighted, and grateful to hear from a true teacher.”

His companions sat to the side, and Paul began. The short, bald man had no parchments, no scrolls. “Women of Israel, and Gentiles who fear God, I bring you good news.”

Good news? Lydia could use some good news.

“Centuries ago, the God of Israel led His people out of Egypt, and gave them the land of Canaan as an inheritance. He gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet, and when they asked for a king, God gave them Saul. After removing him, God raised up David as their king.”

The man was mesmerizing. He taught with authority, but with compassion. He wove the Scriptures into everything he said, revealing all the promises of Yahweh—from the beginning of creation—that had now been fulfilled. “From David’s descendants, God brought forth a Savior, Jesus, as He promised. But those in Jerusalem did not recognize Him, and they condemned Him, asking Pilate to have Him executed. When they had accomplished everything that was written about Him, they took Him down from the cross and placed Him in a tomb.”

Lydia felt like a giant hand reached in and crushed her heart. There was a Savior, and now He was dead? This was horrible news. Paul said he had good news.

The teacher’s face beamed as he continued. “But God raised Jesus from the dead, and for many days He appeared to His followers, who are now His witnesses to the people. This fulfills God’s promises, and through this Jesus forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by this Jesus everyone who believes is forgiven of his sins.”

Everyone? Forgiven? Could it be so? Could she really be forgiven of everything she had ever done?

She had to know more.

When the teacher had finished, and the women had gone, Lydia approached the men. “Where are you staying here in Philippi?”

The Greek—Luke was it?—answered. “We don’t know yet. Is there an inn?”

“No. No! You must come to my house. I have plenty of rooms, and food, and servants to attend to you. And you must tell me more about this…forgiveness.”

~~~~~

We first meet Lydia in Acts 16. We don’t know much about her. A husband is never mentioned, so she may have been a widow or a single woman. Though it is unlikely that in those days she could have established a business on her own, she could have continued one she owned with her husband after he died.

A “seller of purple” sold either dye or cloth or both. The dye came from only certain shellfish, was difficult to make, therefore incredibly expensive and left the merchants rich.

We know Lydia understood what Paul was saying. Acts 16:14 tells us God “opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” I don’t know if she was interested specifically in forgiveness, but God had been preparing her heart for some time to receive His word. Even before Paul’s visit, she is called a God-fearing woman. She had been meeting at the river with other women, probably because there was no synagogue in Philippi.

Lydia had the gift of hospitality. Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke stayed at her house as long as they ministered in Philippi, about two or three months. Lydia also had the gift of leadership. Her entire household was baptized into the faith. Her house became the site of the church in Philippi, not only during her lifetime, but for centuries afterward.

Lydia’s step of faith quite literally played a huge part in reaching the world for Christ. The next time you think you can’t possibly make a difference because you are only one person, remember Lydia. One rock can make many ripples!

We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

 

 

 

 

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The Woman Who Helped Change the World
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