Acts 16:11-15

Paul and his companions had tried to go into the province of Asia but were prevented by the Holy Spirit. Then Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading with him to come and help them. They understood this to be a directive from the Lord to travel to Macedonia. They boarded a boat headed that way and landed in Neapolis. From there they traveled to Philippi, a major business hub. Interestingly, it wasn't a man they met first, but rather a woman—Lydia, a well-to-do businesswoman and a worshiper of God. She was with a group of women praying by the riverbank on the Sabbath, and Paul sat down and spoke with them.

The Scripture says that the Lord "opened Lydia's heart" to respond to what Paul was sharing, and she and her household were baptized. It is one thing to believe in God and an entirely different thing to receive Jesus as Lord and King. Jesus invites us into a dynamic, life-changing, personal relationship—not merely a casual belief system. Lydia accepted Paul's message, and the fruit of her faith was immediately evident, for she insisted that Paul and his companions stay at her home.

The fact that the Scripture refers to "her household" has led many to conclude that Lydia was either widowed or perhaps never married, since there is no mention of a husband. While we cannot be certain, it is noteworthy that she appears as the head of her household, which again challenged many of the cultural norms of the day. Not only that, but her home appears to have become a meeting place for the budding church in Philippi. Many Bible scholars believe Lydia was among the founding members—and perhaps one of the principal supporters—of the Philippian church, the same congregation to whom Paul later wrote the joyful letter of Philippians.

Women in ministry seem to be a "hot topic" these days, and Lydia's example offers much to consider. She was not only a founding member and an important figure in the early days of the Philippian church, but also a faithful servant whose resources, hospitality, and influence greatly advanced the Gospel. We don't have to have a title to be effective. Lydia changed the course of the church in Philippi without ever being given an official title. Lydia was an influential businesswoman who helped support the work of the Kingdom and provided a place where believers could gather. That is one of the reasons we still know her name today. Her life demonstrates that influence in God's kingdom comes through faithful service, not merely through position.