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Acts 16:1-15
Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
11 So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
I love the story of Lydia. Her name shows up only three times in the Bible – only in this chapter of Acts. But her story captures my imagination and appreciation. She is significant enough to name. And that’s not true of every convert to say the least. None of the rest of her household is mentioned, although they too were brought into the faith and baptized.
Lydia catches my attention because of the manner in which her conversion is recounted. “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia,” Luke tells us. She was listening to Paul and not dismissing his message. She was there with the others in the place of prayer. The Lord moved her heart to pay attention to Paul’s message and she was baptized.
Something about her caught Luke’s attention. Perhaps it was her occupation as a seller of purple goods. This would likely mean she had some wealth. The fact that she is mentioned as the head of her household tells us a bit more about her standing. Lydia was a person of significant standing. Noteworthy to be sure.
All that is well and good, but what really captures my attention is her comment after her conversion and baptism. “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay,” she says. I love this! She saw hospitality as a privilege to offer, not as a burden to bear. Her household would likely have included servants. They would certainly be put to work making Paul, Silas, and Timothy comfortable. I can easily see that she would have easily busied herself in the preparations as well. No matter; she saw the opportunity to offer these men of God a place to stay as a privilege.
Lydia was a person of peace – as Jesus described to his disciples in Luke 10:5-6. She welcomed these disciples. She offered them food and shelter. She received their message. Paul, Timothy, and Silas will visit her following their escape from prison.
I want to be like Lydia. I want to be a person of peace. I consider hospitality a privilege to offer. I want to pay attention to what God’s servants say. I am thankful to have been baptized. Where do you see Lydia’s example as one you might follow?
David Bahn - Reflections 
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