Ground Zero in Europe

Acts 16:11-15

¹¹ We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. ¹² From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.

¹³ On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. ¹⁴ One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. ¹⁵ She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

Paul and Silas were on a stop-over. The destination was Macedonia, and they were just out on the sabbath looking for some (kind of) like-minded, God believing people. Who they found was Lydia, with a heart that was ready to hear and accept the truth of Jesus. Consequently, Lydia became the first convert in Europe. (She also has her own wiki page!) Paul and Silas understood the value of the journey just as much as the destination. They could have taken the time as a break on their way to Macedonia but instead saw each day as an opportunity to spread the gospel and follow their mission. Coming from a patriarchal society they could have chosen to only speak with the men but instead they took the inclusive view that it was the heart not the gender that Jesus held to be important, and they spoke with Lydia. As a result, Lydia’s whole household became baptised believers. I am reminded to not make assumptions about others, and to always be open and ready to share my Faith and the good news about Jesus. I need to keep my heart open at all times to opportunities that God lays before me.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for all that you have done for me. I pray you will open my eyes and heart to those around me, help me to be your faithful witness each and every day. Thank you for your great love for mankind. And thank you that I am never alone. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Written by Christine Knight