Lydia at Philippi

He’s new to this district
And found us in prayer
All down by the river
Our burdens to share.
We women were needy
We women were dry
We women were hopeful
That God would come by.


And fresh from the harbour
There came this strange man
Who, serving one Jesus,
Extolled a new Plan
Where wrongs were forgiven
Where mercy held sway
Where lives were transported
From night into Day.


We clung to his message
Like bees to the bloom
And Glory, his Saviour
Had plenty of room
For more in His Household
For women like us
Who hungered for right things
Who longed just to trust.


And trust, my reaction
His stories, His Cross
His leaving the grave shrouds
His rising, Death’s loss.
I own now this Jesus
Relinquish my heart
.


Perhaps now my household
Could  give Paul his start.
For all Greece is needy
And all Greece is lost
I will serve this Gospel
Whatever the cost.



(Acts 16: 12-15)
Note: This woman might have been “the second witness” to the Apostle Paul confirming that Europe was ready for the Gospel hope and standard. The first witness was the vision of “the Macedonian call”. And then here by the river, this industrious woman, a seller of purple, received the new life and dedicated her prayer and resources to the mission of the envoy extraordinary.