In Wait, Episode 3: Lydia's Faith-Filled Legacy

Rebecca Joseph
Aug 22
9 min read

Updated: Aug 23

"Episode 3 cover photo showing a woman carefully washing cloth, representing Lydia’s faith in action, diligence, and biblical womanhood, for the series In Wait."

If you’ve been following the series thus far, you know we’ve been exploring the topic of biblical womanhood through the lens of women whose faith and character reflected what was needed for the modern woman to live courageously, build faithfully, and trust the Lord intimately with every detail of their lives and hearts. Last episode we explored the heart posture of what it looks like to live righteously in obedience and worthy of the call of Christ. If you remember, we left off ready to explore Lydia’s impact on the Body of Christ. This post will be a continuation of that as we dive deeper into why her story still matters for us today.

Welcome to Episode 3 of our new series In Wait. In this series, we will explore many topics revolving the lives of the women who learned to know God for themselves. Lydia’s story is one of radical obedience, boldness, and humility to love the things of God.

Lydia’s Introduction: Faith at Work

11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony and a leading city of the district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for several days. 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there. 14 A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying. 15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. -- Acts 16:11-15

From first glance, it appears that Lydia is nothing more than a minor character; that she acts in the background merely to push the journey of Paul and Timothy further. But I’d like to challenge you to widen your perspective and look beyond the surface with me.

The Purpose of Paul and Timothy’s Journey

Paul and Timothy’s journey came with tons of ups and downs as they navigated the ins and outs of each day. It wasn’t easy, but they knew that they were called for a bigger purpose greater than themselves. But their presence was neither accidental or optional, it was divinely guided.

Here’s what Jesus says in Matthew 10:6-8 is a responsibility of his disciples:

6 “Instead, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you received, freely give[...]”

As a reward of being with Jesus and following Him, He grants His disciples the capacity to reflect and do all that He has done and to continue His ministry when He says this in Matthew 28:19-20 CSB, clearly instructing disciples in this way:

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” -- Matthew 28:19-20

Paul and Timothy were not just there because they were tired from a long journey. They were not there because they were just looking for a place to rest. They were not there because they just happened to be; they were there because they were looking for a place to pray and on a mission to make disciples. They were there to act; to call the Body of Christ back to Himself. They were being obedient to the things that Jesus had shared with them.

As a result, they came across Lydia, who lives in a city that is in dire need of Paul and Timothy’s message.

Taking Up your Cross with Lydia

The Word makes an interesting distinction between her identity and her official profession. The bible refers to Lydia as a “God-fearing woman.” It’s clear that Lydia’s identity was in more than what was being let on —not just for her profession as a seller, but in her belief. She had been recognized for her faith.

This is important because, if you remember, Lydia came from a city wrought with compromise. They did what looked good, but not what was good. They dabbled regularly in sin.

“Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: Thus says the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine bronze: 19 I know your works — your love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. I know that your last works are greater than the first. 20 But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. 21 I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality. 22 Look, I will throw her into a sickbed and those who commit adultery with her into great affliction. Unless they repent of her works, 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who examines minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works. 24 I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who haven’t known “the so-called secrets of Satan” — as they say — I am not putting any other burden on you.” Revelation 2:18-24

Here’s what James 4:17 says about sin by omission:

17 So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.

Also in James 2:14-17 says this about the importance of faith with works:

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.

The bible also highlights the difference between faith that is alive and faith that has stagnated. You cannot say you love the Lord and have faith, but stand still when it is time to move. The Lord will always ensure that his purpose is accomplished. Faith makes it so that all things are made possible — to stir you into action.

Lydia understood that and she acted in obedience.

Close-up of a single water droplet, softly lit to evoke reflection and inspiration, symbolizing faith in action and taking up one’s cross.

That truth is reflected here in Matthew 16:24-26:

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it.

Do + Hear the Word

“But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves…” James 1:22-27

It seems contradictory, but just saying the words mean nothing if the actions or motives behind them are void or nonexistent. Although Lydia lived in a city that threatened to diminish the strength of her faith daily, she was still revered as God-fearing.

In spite of the challenges she faced, she was positioned in the exact place she needed to receive her breakthrough.

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.” -- Matthew 18:20

They gathered.

Even without knowing what was to happen next, Lydia simply being in the same space of those women meant that she was viewed differently. It meant that her perspective was bound to change. As a matter of fact, it changed her.

The Lord was able to do a work in her because she was in the right place at the right time.

Deeper Intimacy + Discovery with the Holy Spirit

Now Lydia might have been there for superficial reasons: looking for a place to sell her scarves or just stopping to catch her breath after a hard day's work. But we know everything has a purpose when it comes to the things of God. For Lydia, an one-off encounter by the river left her life completely transformed.

“For all things work together for the God of those that love God and keep his commandments.” Romans 8:28

Even something as simple as a small break in our day can leave room for God to work in miraculous ways with the help of the Holy Spirit if we let Him.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit serves many uses in the believer’s life:

The Holy Spirit is a constant companion.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever.” John 14:16

The Holy Spirit is a truth-teller.

“He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it does not see or know him. But you do know him because he remains with you and will be in you.” John 14:17

The Holy Spirit is a teacher.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom my Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and remind you of everything I have told you.

The Holy Spirit is fearless.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

The Holy Spirit brings conviction + glory.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you [what is to come]. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-14

Isn’t it amazing that God gifted us with the promise of the Holy Spirit to empower us to live consecrated, set apart, righteous lives? Like Lydia, God used Paul and Timothy’s travels to speak to the lies she’s believed for so long. So much so, that God enabled Lydia’s heart to be opened to hear the unfiltered truth of what she couldn’t before.

"The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying..."
Acts 16:14 CSB

A Life-Giving Fountain

That’s what the Holy Spirit does. The Spirit gives words to the things we cannot yet understand. The Spirit walks alongside us as we grow into maturity. The Spirit in conjunction to Jesus' sacrifice gives life to things that once seemed dead.

Jesus describes the purpose of baptism as noted here in John 3:3-6.

4 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. -- John 3:3-6 (CSB)

Motivational quote: Be encouraged and wait in expectation for God’s unexpected ways to speak into your life.

13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks from the water that [I will give] him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.”  John 4:7-14 (CSB)

It was due to Lydia’s humble act of boldness and obedience, her whole household was saved. In the same way, we are reminded to walk boldly with faith, practice humility so that God's glory shines above ourselves and remain obedient, trusting that our 'yes' blesses not only ourselves, but those in connection to us.

Practical Life Skills + Applications from Lydia's Story

Respond in Faith, Not Fear – Lydia didn’t wait or overthink when God’s timing aligned; she acted. Today, ask yourself: where is God prompting you to step forward, even in a small way? Think about one thing that scares you. Find one bible verse that speaks on fear and repeat it morning and night for 3 days.
Position Yourself for Breakthroughs – Lydia was in the right place at the right time because she prioritized seeking God. Find moments this week to intentionally be present—whether in prayer, community, or study—so God can move in your life. Even 10 minutes uninterrupted counts.
Let the Holy Spirit Lead You Boldly – Lydia’s heart was open to hear the Spirit through Paul and Timothy. Practice verbally asking for the Lord to His voice in everyday moments and step out courageously when He nudges you to act.