When [Lydia] was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us – Acts 16:15
Lydia is a wonderful, faithful example to every new believer. Many times, after a person becomes a Christian there is a loss of inertia, a waning of energy. Perhaps they don’t know what to do next, or perhaps they feel intimidated by other, more seasoned, Christians.
But Lydia did not allow any of these things to hinder her in her Christian commitment. She immediately threw herself wholeheartedly into the kingdom of God, opening her home and her heart to weary and persecuted saints.
Notice the vehemence of her determination: Luke says, “she constrained (forced) us.” It seems she would not take “no” for an answer, but insisted on taking part in the kingdom work that was available to her. She did not wait for others to ask her for help, or until someone informed her of a need; rather, she dove headfirst into the first place of service she could find.
It seems she had so joined herself to the ministry of the church that her house soon became the default place of worship and refuge for Christians. When Paul and Silas were later let out of prison, it was in Lydia’s home they met with, and comforted, the brethren before they departed (16:40).
Lydia reminds us that years of experience is not necessary in order to be an active, contributing, committed member of the kingdom of God. So what are you waiting for? Exercise hospitality, minister to the needy, comfort the disheartened, support the weary. It’s never too soon to start.
