Women Working Boldly: A Study of Lydia in Acts 16Prøve

Lydia’s Legacy

Lydia served as the change agent God chose to start the Philippian church with Paul. They were partners, coworkers, trusted friends. Her kingdom work so marked our world that years later Paul’s letter to the Philippians affirmed that the church which started in her home remained successful. And we’re still reading her story thousands of years later. Lydia’s business acumen was one of the ways the Lord fulfilled his purpose in her life and impacted the people meeting in her home church. Lydia remains the central figure in the history of Christianity in Philippi.

Imagine the book of Philippians being read aloud in a group of men and women, with Lydia, a classy figure dressed in purple, leaning in to hear Paul’s letter:

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now… (Phil. 1:1–11 HCSB)

When Paul addressed his letter to the saints in Philippi serving as overseers and deacons, Lydia would have been among those in his target audience. When Paul prayed for the Philippians with thanksgiving, his appreciation would have stemmed from Lydia’s partnership with him in starting this church and leading it together. He was confident that the leaders in Philippi, Lydia included, started a good work that Christ himself would see through to completion. That’s why Lydia, along with many others, had a special place in the apostle’s heart. Together they spread the Gospel. 

Lydia’s strong example should give us courage to work and live BOLDLY. We’re not alone in our pursuit to honor God with our faith and work. Since the beginning of time and the beginning of the church, working women have been showing up to do the work God ordained them to accomplish. Lydia and all the matriarchs of our faith have left us an enduring legacy, a heritage of boldness.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for using Lydia’s business acumen and spiritual passion to build the church. I pray you would do the same with me. Help me to serve you and to love my coworkers with the love of Christ. Amen.

For more information on the BOLDLY Conference: Faith + Work for Women Conference, visit  http://boldlyconference.com