Day 256: Acts 16:9–15

Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was spoken by Paul (v. 14).

Paul and his small band of missionaries did not have to wait long for redirection after God removed their sense of peace and approval, prompting them not to enter the province of Asia. Following their willingness to allow God to change their plans, He used a vision to lead them into uncharted territory—a vision of a man from Macedonia begging Paul, “Cross over to Macedonia and help us!” (Acts 16:9 hcsb). As a result, the missionary band traveled to Philippi where Paul found no synagogue, so he preached at a gathering place outside the city.

There by the river he encountered a woman named Lydia. We’ve seen Paul have more thrilling encounters. Nothing outwardly dramatic happened. Almost seemed ho-hum, didn’t it? Was this all that God had in mind—one woman’s reception of the gospel—when He resisted their plans to preach His Word in the direction they were headed? But after temporarily closing a door in the province of Asia, God strained their eyes to see a much wider vision. The gospel of Jesus Christ went to Europe! Within a couple hundred years, Christians numbered in the tens of thousands in Europe. We hear people say, “When God closes a door, He opens a window.” Sometimes we might just be underestimating Him. We just saw Him close a door and open a continent.

And it all started with a businesswoman named Lydia.

No one would ever suspect some of the feelings of spiritual inferiority professional Christian businesswomen harbor at times. For everyone who ever wondered if God could use a professional businesswoman, meet Lydia. She was a city girl, a salesperson. A homeowner with enough room to house a host of people. Yet her professional life was balanced by the priorities of her spiritual life. She worshiped God. She didn’t see the Sabbath as an opportunity to catch up on some sleep and straighten up the house. She gathered with other believers. She found a place of prayer (v. 13). She opened her home. She made herself available to God. Because she did, “the Lord opened her heart” to hear Paul’s message. And God gave birth to the gospel in Europe. I’d say that businesswoman had a pretty important ministry, wouldn’t you?