Graham Kings

Lydia

Acts 16.6–15

Who is this woman,

Slender in purple,

Approaching the river,

Head demure,

Hands across

Heart secure?

Who are these women,

Accompanying her,

Tumbling, cascading,

Following her gaze,

Slightly perplexed,

Subtly amazed?

Who is this man,

Bearded, intriguing,

Joining the women,

Gorgeous in vesture,

Gently announcing

Greeting in gesture?

By the river of Philippi,

They sat down and met

And sang the songs of Zion,

Outside the gate of the

Greek city, Roman colony.

Lydia, with friends and household,

Dealer in purple, in business astute,

From Thyatira in Asia Minor,

Gentile worshipping God of the Jews.

Paul, with friends, Silas and Luke,

Following a vision of Asia Minor,

Meets a woman of Macedonia,

The Good News comes to Europa.

With hearts open to the cross of Christ,

They pass through the river of baptism,

To enter the joy of the Kingdom.

Like trees planted by the waterside,

They bring forth their fruit in due season.