Down By The River

ACTS IN 90 DAYS

A reading for Tuesday, August 4, 2020: Acts 16:11-15.

"On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer..."

Paul and Timothy were fast learners. They understood that God was doing a new thing with them and their missionary journey, and so rather than go to the synagogue on the Sabbath like they always did, they left the city gates in search of a group of women praying by the river. In the ancient world, men and women did not worship together and often widows or single women had no place to worship. So Paul and Timothy heard about the gathering of women and went in search of what God might be up to... down by the river!

They met Lydia, who was a prominent business woman, a dealer in very expensive fabric and clothing. She welcomed them as a colleague in faith and even offered them hospitality to stay with her as they continued their works of faith. God was moving more quickly now with the mission to the Gentiles, and Paul and Timothy need only watch and work to partner with what God was doing.

Today, we have the same opportunity. God is out ahead of us, moving quickly to continue to change and transform the world around us. We need only go in search of what God might be up to... in hopes of partnering with what God is doing today.

Thanks be to God.