She, Herself & God
Like Lydia from Thyatira
MONTHLY THEME: Women’s Ministry
FEATURED VERSE: 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. 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. 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. (Acts 16:13-15, NLT)
Back when I was in high school, I used to work every summer vacation as an all-around staff (cleaner, sales lady, cashier, and spy for the boss) at a bakery managed by an aunt-in-law. But this bakery did not only sell baked goods, we were also selling canned foods, ice cream, cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and other food products. At that time, I was still highly influenced by my old conservative church even though our family was no longer part of that denomination. So even if I would sell cigarettes and alcoholic beverages because it was part of my job, I considered these products not pleasing in the eyes of the Lord.
Nonetheless, my aunt-in-law had a different perspective. Being a Christian convert, (Thanks to her husband also known as my mother’s brother!), she did not consider selling these products a sinful act because it was “business as usual” for her. She actually glorified God whenever these products were sold out to the point that I would even hear her exclaim, “Praise the Lord!” And to be honest, I was not blessed by my aunt-in-law’s testimony at that time because I was so sure that the Heavenly Father was not pleased with her for tolerating the habits of smokers and drunkards.
It was only when I experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit that my perspectives had changed one by one. I began to realize that God is always pleased whenever we glorify Him because it only means that we recognize His sovereignty and power in making things happen for us. So when my aunt-in-law praised Him for allowing her cigarettes and alcoholic beverages to become sold out, the Lord was happy with her because she knew that He was the One who made it happen for her. In fact, He was well pleased with her because my aunt-in-law came to Him as a merchant, worshiped Him as she was without pretending to be someone else, and started a ministry right there and then even if she was still a work in progress just like me and everyone else.
As a woman of God, the story of my aunt-in-law is worth remembering because it is somehow related to the tale of Lydia of Thyatira, who was a merchant of expensive purple cloth when she became a worshiper of the Lord. Lydia is a perfect example that our business can also be our personal ministry. She showed to us that if we accept the Gospel, the Lord can open our hearts and make us ministers whoever we are and wherever we are. In Lydia’s case, she was a merchant, and she was used as an instrument right there and then. She proved that our business should never be an excuse for us not to praise and worship God because it is already a testimony to His blessings, grace, and favor. And we do not need to look further to minister to others because our business is the opportunity given to us to preach the Gospel and give the Lord all the glory that He deserves.
DEVOTIONAL PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for teaching us that as women, we are not limited especially when it comes to starting a ministry. Thank You for making us realize that if Lydia from Thyatira can minister to others as a merchant, we can do the same regardless of our types of business. Thank You more for using Lydia as an example that if we will truly accept the Gospel, Your Holy Spirit can open our hearts to the teachings of Jesus and make us effective witnesses and workers in the kingdom of God. However, we pray to be always reminded that even if we are businesswomen like Lydia, our main business here on earth is to share the good news that Your only begotten Son died for our sins and was risen so we can all have eternal life as long as we have faith in Him. We praise You, worship You, and glorify You not just in our business but in our homes today and every single day. This is our prayer in the Name of Christ our Lord, Saviour, and King. Amen.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
Do you agree that the business sector should be penetrated by Christians too? If yes, does that mean we can do any business as long as we glorify God? If no, what type of business should Christians avoid getting into? And how can we make a difference in the business sector without compromising both our faith and our profits?
QUOTE TO REMEMBER:
Businesswomen can be busy women for the kingdom of God too.
