Acts 16:14 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a dealer in purple fabrics who was [already] a worshiper of God, listened to us; and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention and to respond to the things said by Paul.
Enthusiasm and expansion cross each other in the divine crossword puzzle. Without enthusiasm we cannot expect expansion. ‘Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm’ – Ralph Waldo Emerson. People fail not because of lack of skills but because of lack of enthusiasm.
Lydia was one of the first converts who was baptized in the city of Philippi. Not much is mentioned about her in the Bible, but we understand that she was a purple-fabric merchant and a worshipper of God. Lydia was most likely a Jew from Thyatira, (modern Turkish city), who had established her trade in Philippi (northeastern Greece). Her attentiveness and enthusiasm to the preaching of Paul turned Lydia into the church leader. She opened her palatial house to the newly birthed church for worship. It is fair to conclude that she was a primary leader if not the pastor of the church in Philippi. Lydia was no ordinary woman. She had a thriving business in Philippi. Archeologists have found from the ruins of Thyatira that it was the hub of indigo trade. Lydia would have channeled her products from her hometown, Thyatira, to the bustling port city of Philippi. Yet the busy businesswoman’s passion and enthusiasm morphed her from being “famous” to “influential”.
Fame will die when we die but influence will outlive us and continue to transform and reform generations to come. Enthusiasm of the business magnet expanded her borders to become an evangelist and a pastor.
Horizontal and Vertical words in crosswords:
1. Caution: Be cautious to keep your enthusiasm buoyant. ‘You can do anything if you have enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes rise to the stars’ – Henry Ford. Enthusiasm is the horizontal platform on which visions can be constructed. Be cautious not to lose your enthusiasm in building your home, ministry, career, or business.
2. Passion: Passion fuels perseverance. Resilience is the muscle that passion builds. Passionate people never give excuses for missing their prayer time, Bible study or never miss out on personal development. Passion ignites growth and expansion.
3. Action: Temporary spurts of passion do not result in expansion. Over enthusiasm is risky but lack of enthusiasm is the first sign of slow death. Steady and strategic actions with the guidance of the Holy Spirit will result in expansion that extends from the earth into eternity. Stabilized passion and steady actions are the pathway to expansion.
Prayer without passion are only empty words. There will be no expansion without enthusiasm.
Acts 16:15 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.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, may my passion to love and serve you and the enthusiasm to build your kingdom never die or diminish. Amen
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