We all know the Apostle Paul and how his ministry and obedience to the Lord's word was able to reach the masses and bring many people into Christ. When you look and see all that Paul endured for the name of Jesus Christ, many of us would have given up on The Lord. Paul continued to be persecuted yet could have quit and lived a "safe" life, away from the pain and suffering and the away from the will of God.
I had a friend who was going through a difficult time and he was telling me that he needed to leave his job. He had been there for a few years and he knew it wasn't the place God wanted him to be. He explained to me how he stayed mainly because it was comfortable and less stress than being jobless and trying to find a job. Of course the natural question anyone asks is "Well do you have another one lined up?" His answer was no. At first I thought he was making an emotional decision and not thinking logically. He then explained the story of Paul and Lydia.
Lydia was a woman of God who offered for Paul, Silas, and Timothy to come to her home. It does not specify if they went directly to her house, but what it does mention is Paul and Silas being thrown into jail for doing the Lord's work after they met her. Even in the midst of their turmoil and imprisonment, "they sang hymns and praised God" (vs. 25). After God sent an earthquake that released the chains of the prisoners and then Paul and Silas were set free, (I will get into this part in another blog), is when it is mentioned they went to Lydia's house!
From one point of view, people could think that if they had gone to Lydia's house, they never would have gone to jail. Yet, on the opposing side is, because they continued on their journey, and were thrown into jail, more people came into the knowledge of Christ and God's love, mercy, and saving power. They could have stayed comfortable with other believers and not faced any more persecution, yet because of their disobedience, how many people would have not been able to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ?
We are called to serve the Lord, our Heavenly Father. He has given us a purpose. We could be prohibiting God's purpose to flourish in our life because we decided to stay at Lydia's house. For someone, Lydia's house could be a job that God told you to leave, a boyfriend/girlfriend he told you not to date but you are anyways, or it could be leaving your parents home and living on your own. In any circumstance, it is where, or whom you are putting your security, trust, and comfort in, instead of the Lord.
Verse 40 says, "After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left."
That's it! They left! And after they left, they faced more turmoil! They stayed for a season, to show God's love, and then they left. They did not stay, get married, have children, and live. They knew what God was calling them to do, and staying at Lydia's house for a long period of time was not the plan God had for them. This life is not about us and how we feel. When we are living in God's purpose, there will be times of struggle, persecution, yet you will have times of comfort. We can't abuse that comfort stage. It is meant to refuel us to continue doing his work.
I pray today that you find whatever your Lydia's house is. As for my friend, he realized his job was his Lydia's house. Though it was paying the bills, he was comfortable in his misery because "at least he had a job" instead of allowing God to provide and work through him to give him a job that is more satisfying and closer to God's purpose for his life.
Pray for The Lord to give you the strength to turn it over to Him and trust Him to provide, comfort, and lead you into what He has called you to do! Let the Spirit of the Lord recharge and refuel you so you can continue doing His will. I pray you have a purposeful day!
Love,
Meghan A. Harper