Acts 16:9-15
9 During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
11 We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. 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.
“… The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. …”
Of all the women gathered there by the river, I wonder why it was Lydia’s heart that the Lord opened? It speaks to the question of why some people respond to the Gospel and others don’t. Does God choose who hears and who doesn’t? Does the Spirit inspire some while others are left waiting? Why is it that some hear while others are oblivious to God’s Word?
With over forty years of ministry under my belt, I am still puzzled by this question. Obviously, God desires all people to come to faith, to believe, to hear and respond. Yet, it seems as if, even with the same words and actions, some fail to be touched. They just don’t get it. I often wonder why?
Along with me, theologians, pastors, teachers, and evangelist have pondered this same question. Various explanations have been given including personal journeys, right timing, hard-heartedness, and closing one’s heart. All answers seem to fall flat in the face of the power and purpose of the Spirit. Yet, some, like Lydia have their hearts open and others do not.
Perhaps the answer is not ours to know. Perhaps, we are to trust in the Lord’s power and purpose. Perhaps, like Job, we cannot know the answer but must instead have faith that God will open everyone’s heart in God’s time, not ours.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for opening my heart to Your Word. Trusting in Your purpose, I entrust others to Your care that You will one day open all hearts to Your loving grace. Amen.