Calling and Purpose 15--Lydia--Acts 16
In Acts 16, we see Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke, and perhaps others, traveling to Philippi, a bustling city in Macedonia. On the Sabbath, they sought a place of prayer—maybe one they had heard about since they ventured outside the city toward the river. They end up sitting down and speaking to a gathering of women (unheard of in their day). In this group is Lydia—from Thyatira, a purple cloth merchant. Luke describes her as a worshiper of God. And, in this moment, “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” She and her household are then baptized.
It’s interesting to note that her name is also sometimes translated as “the Lydian woman”—Lydia being a second name for Thyatira. She has moved away from her roots—was part of her calling from her original home (and all that was likely familiar)? Was another part of her calling to Philippi? She also seems to be known or called by a name that reminds everyone of her origins. Sort of like calling me “American” instead of by my first name if I live in Europe or Asia or Africa.
Lydia’s purpose is likely several-fold—to live in a place less comfortable and familiar to her than her home and to be engaged in the marketplace of goods—perhaps as a worshiper of God and as household provider. In addition, once baptized, she extends gracious hospitality to Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke (and perhaps additional traveling companions) persuading them to stay in her home.
Later in the same chapter, Paul and Silas are wrongly imprisoned. Once they are released from jail, they go to Lydia’s house—"where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them.” In the space of just a few verses, Lydia goes from worshiper of God to believer in Jesus to host of a house-church in her home.
Her gifts may have been apostleship or leadership or administration, perhaps wisdom or discernment, but certainly she had the gift of hospitality. She was clearly an influencer—of her household and of those early church leaders.
· Are you being, or have you been called away from your comforts to a new place of engagement?
· As you respond to the Holy Spirit’s work in your heart, where is God asking you to offer your resources to further His work in the world?
· Where are your gifts a helpful framework for determining your involvements?
Download the Calling and Purpose Study Guide 3—John the Baptist and Lydia for application questions.
See the blog post Calling and Purpose 3—John the Baptist.
Additional Resources:
· Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog: https://godgiftsyou.com/blog/
· Downloadable Resources: https://godgiftsyou.com/resources/
o See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.
· Spiritual Gifts Assessment: https://godgiftsyou.com/assessment/
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and law enforcement leadership for over 30 years. Shirley has been EquipConnectServe Director at First Pres Boulder since 1999. She has worked with leaders and organizations in 47 of the United States as well as having clients outside the U.S. Contact Shirley.