One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. Acts 16:14
I went on a search today for purple and found power, protection, promise, and perspective. I learned that performance didn’t have to do with where we already are, but on where we’re going and who is leading. Don’t check out on me right now because I’m going somewhere with this…I think. I know that it can be downright petrifying when I get into my philosophical mode, but I think this is going to be something that someone needs to hear. Is it you? Are you paying attention to my P usage?
As I was getting ready to leave the house on my purple search, I couldn’t imagine where I was going to find that color on my normal walk. Green and brown tend to be the overwhelming colors I usually see. I had to wear a purple shirt so that I wouldn’t be able to say that I didn’t see purple! “Oh ye of little faith,” I thought as I stepped outside to see one single purple petunia. It was blooming in a planter hidden behind an evergreen. It was so beautiful because it’s not supposed to be there. It was from last year…not possible, right? I hadn’t even left the porch!
I had my notebook and pen ready to start writing what I saw and learned from my keen observations. Sorry to tell you, but I got about three pages of notes…get ready for a long post today. I’m just kidding, I’m going to try to stick with the purple theme here. I did see flowers that I never noticed before. They made me realize that there could be several bunched together in beautiful display, yet I really found power in that single flower that bloomed by itself, in an area that was unexpected.
The next thing I noticed was a Guardian sign showing my neighbor’s house was protected. It was comprised of purple stripes! How did I never see that before? Now purple makes me think of protection. It dawned on me how I could boast my own Guardian sign. My King Jesus, the one who had the purple robe on before being crucified, is my protector and promise keeper in all things. Without keeping my perspective on Him, my perception makes me think all kinds of crazy thoughts. He keeps my mind clear.
Just to solidify my lesson on protection, there was a purple rubber glove on the side of the road reminding me how they are worn to protect us from the unwanted. It also taught me that we have to keep our protection with us at all times or it won’t protect us at all. When we dispose of these things that covers us with protection, we lose that wonderful gift and open ourselves up to harm.
I felt a strong urge to read a book about Lydia, the seller of purple, by Tessa Afshar. I’m about half-way through it, and it is teaching me quite a bit about perspective in life. In the book, Lydia deals with fear, but people keep showing up in her life who help her on the amazing journey ahead of her. She has every reason to be bitter and angry, yet God doesn’t allow it. He has bigger plans for her. How God prepares us for His plan in our life! The question is: are we going to accept the manna, or complain about what we don’t have YET?
Am I going to learn from my lesson in purple so that I can give the best possible performance in this life? Am I going to deal in purple? What about you? I’m sure if you take a few minutes, you can look up all kinds of meanings about purple, but I didn’t want that list in front of me. I wanted to see what God would show me.
I challenge you to put on something purple today (not too dark now) and be reminded that you are part of royalty. Be that single flower that stands out! What will you see that God is using in order to prepare you for your peak performance in this life? Open your heart and respond like Lydia!
