Nougat 9

‭Hello my siblings in Christ. I pray you are well. Since we began our reflection on Lydia, did you ever wonder about how Paul arrived there? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

Acts 16:7, 15 NIV‬

[7] When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

[15] When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

Constrained by Jesus’ Spirit

Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke had had another destination in mind. They wanted to go to Bithynia, known as an inhospitable Roman province, which hosted a thriving Christian community. Perhaps Paul wanted to support them, as they were always at odds with the Roman government.

Ironically, the chief town in Bithynia is said to have been Nicaea, which hosted the Grand Church Council in 325. It was at that Council of Nicaea that the famous Nicene Creed was prepared. On a further side note, next year marks the 1700th anniversary, which the WCC and others will commemorate.

It may be that God was managing the human resources, as Peter had established a relation with them. So much so that they’re mentioned among the 4 churches in 1 Peter 1:1. If we take that route, we recognise that the Bithynians were precious to God. Just see the opening message from Peter to the churches in 1 Peter 1:2!

Nevertheless, God had other plans for Paul. Heeding the Macedonian Call (i.e., a vision from God’s Spirit of an intercede pleading for spiritual support), Paul and his team went firstly to Samothrace, Neapolis and Philippi. This part of the Macedonian visit lasted several days, yet there doesn’t seem to have been anything exceptionally notable within the city limits during that visit. We note, however, that Paul’s relations with the church in Philippi were strong enough to warrant a letter, which is now included in the Bible.

What we also know is that on the Sabbath, while Paul and the team were still in Philippi, they were at the river (i.e., outside the city limits in a manner of speaking). And it was there that the team met Lydia. Could it be Lydia who ‘summoned’ Paul via God’s Spirit in the vision? We don’t know for certain, but there’s no doubt that Paul’s divergence was for Lydia and the Women’s Purple Dye Cooperative.

The NLT describes Lydia as ‘a merchant of expensive purple cloth [emphasis mine], who worshipped God.’ Asenath, one of our WhatsApp members argues that if Lydia dealt with Snail Dye, she’s unlikely to have been Jewish. I do agree with her, though I’m wont to argue that not all Jews were fully observant … Acts 8 reminds us that God’s Word had impacted several Gentile spaces before the apostles arrived in those places. Lydia’s group might have been one such.

What it is like is to take home from today’s reflection, and the Nougat itself is this:

1. The God Who sent a mission team to Philippi for Lydia is Our God. This God knows us and hears our ‘Macedonian’ cry. God is capable (of sending someone) to strengthen us when we’re weak.

2. The women were gathered at the river on the Sabbath. That was not a coincidence. It was as though it was their very own Pentecost (although it was more of confirmation and conversion). Our God honours our faithfulness (and observance of the sabbath).

3. Paul’s team taught the women without discrimination. The undiluted Gospel message resulted in Lydia’s ‘conversion’. When we yield to God, other lives are impacted as we draw them to God.

There’s one more point, but let’s reflect on that tomorrow.

Belated Teachers’ Day greetings and blessed Ascension Day to the observant.

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May all we seek be found in Christ