“…and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.” Acts 16:15 NLT

Okay, does that seem a bit pushy? Here is the Apostle Paul ministering to the people in Philippi. No doubt he has had an extremely long journey by boat and by foot. And this woman, Lydia, is insisting that he come and visit her home.

From scripture we know that Lydia was a merchant who sold fine purple cloth. She worshipped God, but had not heard the good news of the gospel until she met Paul. It appears from her brief conversation with Paul that she was a saleswoman through and through. This woman didn’t seem the type to take no for an answer.

Divine interruptions. We’ve all experienced them. We have one plan and God boldly places someone or some situation in our path that changes the course of our day. For years I learned the importance of sticking to a plan and a schedule. I learned the pressure that comes when working under a tight deadline. I learned that in the workplace there’s not much time for socializing with others when a job needs to get done.

But what about those divine moments? What about those times when you know in your heart the interruption is divine and purposeful? I think the answer is obvious. We need to be obedient to God. In that moment He is entrusting us with an assignment. And in Paul’s divine interruption he knew God had placed Lydia in his path. The funny thing about divine interruptions is that we may never fully understand the purpose of our assignment. All we know is that the Lord chose us to be His hands and feet at that moment.

“When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.” Acts 16:40 NLT

Lydia’s mention in scripture is somewhat of a mystery, but we know one thing, Paul was obedient to the assignment God gave him. He did go to Lydia’s house, even though it may have been inconvenient and out of the way. But in her home believers met together and were encouraged. How divine!