Day 28 — Lydia Opens Her Heart

“Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.”

— Acts 16:14 (BSB)

When the apostle Paul traveled to the city of Philippi, he went down to the river on the Sabbath, looking for a place where people gathered to pray. And there he found a group of women.

One of them was Lydia. She was a businesswoman who sold purple cloth. That was a big deal! Purple dye was rare and expensive, so purple cloth was worn by kings and wealthy people. Lydia was probably successful and well-known.

Lydia already believed in God, but she hadn’t heard about Jesus yet. As Paul spoke about Jesus, something happened: “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.”

Notice who opened her heart: the Lord. Lydia listened, but God did the work inside her. And Lydia believed! She and her whole household were baptized.

Then Lydia did something right away. She said to Paul and his friends, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she insisted until they agreed!

God opened Lydia’s heart. Then Lydia opened her home.

Lydia’s house became a meeting place for the very first church in Philippi, and one of the first churches in all of Europe. Later, when Paul and his friend Silas got out of prison in Philippi, where did they go? To Lydia’s house, where the believers had gathered.

Lydia shows us that when God opens our hearts, we want to open our lives to others. She used what she had, her home, her business and her gifts, to serve God’s people.

What has God given you that you could open up to others? Maybe your home, for a friend who needs somewhere to go. Maybe your table, to share a meal. Maybe your time, your talents or your friendship.

And if you’ve never asked God to open your heart to Jesus, you can ask Him today. He opened Lydia’s heart, and He can open yours.

Think about it: How did Lydia show that God had opened her heart? How can you “open your home” or your life to others?

Try this: With your parents’ permission, invite a friend over, or find another way to show hospitality to someone this week.

Dear God, thank You for opening Lydia’s heart to Jesus. Please keep opening my heart to You. And help me open my life to others, like Lydia did, by sharing what I have to serve You and bless people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.