11We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, 12and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. 13On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. 14A certain woman named Lydia, a worshipper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. 15When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.’ And she prevailed upon us. (Acts 16:11-15, NRSV)
The picture here is the Church of Lydia in Philippi. I took this picture in January 2004. My wife and I visited Turkey and Greece on a tour called the Churches of Revelation and the Footsteps of Paul. We saw biblical sites and walked the streets that Paul walked. This church was built on the site where they say Lydia and her family was baptized. There is a nice cross baptismal bridge over the river.
Lydia was a rich woman because she delt in purple cloth and purple was a hard color to dye. So she was a pillar in the community. She was prepared by God to hear the message of Paul and she did and was transformed.
God send all of us to go into the world and share his love that he shared with us.
Are we ready to go where God is sending us to share what God has given us?
aSacredRebel 