January 6, 2011 - Acts 16:14

“One of those listening was a woman named Lydia…who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” Acts 16:14.
In Philippi, Paul was speaking about Jesus to a crowd of people, one of whom was Lydia, a woman of high standing in the community. As a Gentile, she always had a heart for God and worshipped Him. When she heard Paul’s message, the Lord opened Lydia’s heart to respond positively. Her openness to God allowed her to take the next step of her journey in life, and she became a follower of Jesus.
Throughout my life, I have tried to be open to truth, and in that process, had various encounters with God as I rambled along. In December, 1970, I took the step of becoming a follower of Jesus, and that’s when the adventure of life really began. On my journey as a Christian I have struggled to be true to the person God wanted me to be. When it seemed like God was leading me one way, it took me a while before I was open to that leading. It took time to get through my thick cranial cortex! I hope that over the years I have begun to soften and be more pliable in God’s hands, trusting in His leading. Just as Lydia was open to taking the next step, I am trying to be open for God’s next step, whatever that may be.
Questions to consider: What are some of the “next steps” in your life? What steps has God helped you to walk through? What is the next step that God has for you? Are you open to God and willing to obey?
Prayer: Father, thank You for guiding me in this journey of life. Help me to be open to Your next step, whatever that may be. Help me to not resist it but instead to embrace it, as Lydia did. Amen.