Luke mentions Lydia briefly as one of the first converts in Philippi in Acts 16:14-15, 40. I base this imagining on that account as well as Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
Though my husband and I were originally from Thyatira in Asia Minor, we have spent most of our married life here in Philippi. As his father’s second son, Paul knew the family dyeing business would go to his older brother. When we married, however, his father suggested that we set up a branch of the business in Philippi because it was full of retired Romans with money to spend on quality fabrics. And so we went.
In Philippi, Mark, a merchant friend of Paul’s father, welcomed us with the warmest hospitality. We could tell the minute we looked into his smiling eyes that this was not only someone we could trust and learn from, but someone who cared about us even though he had only known my father-in-law. Though not a Jew himself, Mark was an educated man who had read the Hebrew Scriptures. He taught Paul and me all about the Jews’ belief in a single God. As Paul and I discussed it between us, it made so much more sense than the Greek religion where all the different gods were always vying with each other for power and lying about their loyalties – especially to their mates. How could such a tribe of self-centered rulers run the world? More to the point, why would mortals like Paul and me ever expect to get meaningful help from fickle deities like these?
Every night our host would share stories from the Jews’ Holy Book. The people in these stories were so unlike the heroes from the Greek tales – much more like ordinary people, yet, because of their God sometimes they did extraordinary things. I was stunned to discover whole narratives about women who suffered as I did – unable to conceive a child. It comforted me that there was a God who understood what women feel.
I never got a miracle baby like Sarah or Rebekah or Hannah, but have had a full life nonetheless. Paul shared his business with me; he always said I could spot a good customer even in the hubbub of the marketplace! When Paul got sick two years ago, I was able to keep the business going – mostly on my own. Our group of believers prayed hard for his recovery but he was just too sick. He died almost a year ago now.
When the other Paul came to Philippi we were all curious. Not many Jews come here. What really amazed us was his joining us in our worship by the river – just outside of town. Mark started these meetings with people like Paul and me who found this Jewish God more real than all the shrines and idols that fill the city. But our worship was mostly a casting about praying and singing praises to a God we weren’t even sure belonged to us.
Then this other Paul began to speak to us. I don’t know how he knew our questions but his words assured us: “This God you worship is the one true God and you are right to believe the Lord is not for Jews alone.” With that he began to tell us the story of Jesus – God come down from the Heavens to walk among us as a human. Not like the Greek deities who took on human form to deceive mortals. Neither was Jesus part-God and part-man like the heroes in the Greek tales. He was the Son of the true God – able to do miracle cures and yet so human that He died on a Roman cross. And then, praise God, He rose and calls each of us to everlasting life!
Well, you can’t turn your back on news like that. I was baptized after that first hearing and had the privilege of hosting Paul and his band in my home while they stayed in Philippi. What a blessing to have had them in my house! They were such delightful guests – always eager to help – even with what most men consider the women’s chores! And they were fun company with their stories of the wonders they had witnessed God perform. Luke, particularly, was always eager to share his collection of Jesus sayings and episodes and Paul, ever the teacher, always explaining God’s magnificent plan to save and bless the whole world through Jesus. I shudder to remember the hard trouble they endured that hastened their leaving us, but we always knew they would have to keep spreading the message.
Now we still meet by the river, but we also meet in my home. Our number grows every day. It’s hard to explain how and why. Most of the new believers don’t know the first thing about the God of the Jews – but we are teaching them. Mostly, though, I think the way we love each other and do our best to live in kindness and consideration draws them in. We’re not perfect, by a long stretch, but we encourage one another. When you know that everyone you meet is someone that God loves, it makes you behave in ways that stand out – even in the hubbub of a crowded marketplace.
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