Lydia, Seller of Purple (Acts 16:14–15)

By Maxine Reeder Jennings

Second Place Eliza R. Snow Poetry Contest

“What is this Sabbath,” they ask who pursue Artemis,

“That Lydia, seller of purple, consummate matron of the marketplace

In Philippi, should lock us from her shop one day in seven?”

They cannot know how I in the brightness of noonfire

Came gratefully to the code of Moses. The Lord thy God

Shall prosper thee, Lydia of Thyatira;

Thou shalt keep the Sabbath holy unto Him.

When moon gloss and silk of night unfold into Sabbath dawn,

I with my household and other soft-tongued women of decision

Gather us streamside to chant the ancient melody.

A longing for truth pulls us to grass under our knees:

“Thou has given us the Law, great God of Abraham;

Teach us now its deeper meaning.”

One latticed Sabbath morning, when the sky like a great joy

Postured us before curtains of sunlight and the stream

Wore a silence shimmering as love, bright with the light

Of Heaven came to us Paul and Silas, bearing an eloquent testament.

The miracles they told wrote truth’s considerable duty

On my life: The Redeemer that Isaiah prophesied has come;

Gravely He lived among us, filling His messianic mission—

He healed the sick, gave light to sightless eyes

And fed the listening multitudes at Galilee—till magistrates,

Blinded by His unfamiliar light, shouted Him to the cross.

Even the tomb could not contain him; He rose from death.

“He lives,” sang Paul, “and He will always live.

He is the Purpose in our purpose here.”

Sun-jeweled hours dwindled to evening shades; moonlight wrapped

Itself around us. Still we listened, learning. What beauty

In this widening of truth—wisdom echoing wisdom, faith

Kindling faith. Henceforth the Law would flourish in a new

Dimension. Henceforth the Law would sing with the voice of harps;

For He taught a loftier concept—we are all God’s children:

Thou shalt love diligently the Lord thy God;

Then thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

“Make me,” I said to Paul, “an instrument of His perfect Love;

Let me be advocate for Him in Philippi.

Then when they ask, they who follow Artemis,

‘What is this Sabbath that Lydia, seller of purple,

Should lock us from her shop one day in seven?’

I shall exulting answer, ‘He who made the world and spoke the Law

Has given me voice. Join me; fervent in the Sabbath dawn

I celebrate His love, His light, His Church in Philippi.

He lives to endow our lives with hope and meaning.’”

Photography by Eldon Linschoten