Purple

May 21, 2025

Purple

Acts 16:13-15

13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. 14 A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. 15 When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.

Purple

My Mom loved the color purple. I think of her whenever I see it. When I came upon Lydia, the purveyor of purple fabric in the scripture today - it made me smile. Lydia, the first convert, the woman who ran her own business and household, who influenced her community to listen to the good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, and began a church in her home in Philippi. In many people’s estimation the church of Philippi was the healthiest of all the churches started by the Apostles.

Over the years, there have been times in which being a woman in leadership in the church has been a topic of controversy. Lydia makes me wonder how that happened. And Lydia makes me want to be attentive to any ways we are missing the truth of God’s inclusive message of love to the world today.

Purple - the color that makes me remember my Mom’s love - invites all of us into remembering God’s extravagant love for the world.

Reflection Questions:

1) What good news do you want to take time to notice/remember today?

2) Do you think there are times when you forget important parts of the story of Jesus?

3)Are there colors that bring a smile to your lips? What story do they tell?

Prayer: Dear Lord, Please help me see the way your love surrounds all of us, and reach out to be an instrument of that love. In Jesus Name, Amen