Travel and Worship
In Acts 16, Luke tells of Paul’s encounter with
one of the most inspiring women of the New Testament. Her name was
Lydia. Though her conversion, life and interest in the gospel is
inspiring, there is one minute detail often overlooked.
In verse 14 we are told that Lydia was from the city of Thyatira. This
was a city known for its trade guilds and Lydia’s trade was dyeing and
selling purple clothing—the cloth of royalty and the rich. Though Lydia
is from Thyatira, she is currently in Philippi. Philippi is around 200
miles from Thyatira and requires a trip across the Aegean Sea.
Now, with all of that in mind, please notice what Lydia chooses to do
while away on a business trip a couple hundred miles from home. Verse 13
informs the reader that Lydia was among a group of women by the
riverside praying and worshipping God on the Sabbath.
What a praiseworthy example Lydia sets! She was not using her Sabbath to
sleep all day long after a busy work week. She does not take a vacation
from God as she vacations away from home. Instead, this successful
business woman, is using her time to worship God with others.
When I was a kid, I remember taking vacations to places across the
country. We went to plenty of entertainment hot spots and enjoyed them.
Yet, on the Lord’s Day, I can never recall skipping an opportunity to
worship God with other saints. In fact, these fellow Christians are
still the most memorable people of my childhood.
As I look back, I can remember the friendliness of Bible class teachers,
the courtesy of specific congregations of believers, and the hospitality
of saints that shared a meal with us or welcomed us into their homes as
we visited as strangers in their cities. While the pleasures of
entertainment were fun, they were only momentary. They never provided
any lasting satisfaction outside of the moment.
Yet, I will always recall with fondness the blessings and encouragement
received while worshipping away from home with God’s family. Like Lydia,
maybe wonderful moments can become wonderful memories as you worship
during your travels!
Think about it.
February 2006