One of them, a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth,
from the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened,
and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention
to what Paul was saying.
We need the LORD to open our hearts to pay attention as well. Attention seems like something that would be on us to achieve. Then, perhaps, the LORD would reward our attention with blessing. But as with much in life, we overestimate our abilities without God. Especially living in a world that is designed to abuse and hijack our attention in a million ways we need the LORD's help if we are want to pay attention to what truly matters with a fully open heart. Without this grace we only get snatches and fragments. What bits we do receive impact on the surface of hearts dull or dead from overstimulation. But today, just as for Lydia, the LORD opens hearts.
When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father,
the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father,
he will testify to me.
The Holy Spirit testifies to Jesus. He guides us into all truth. He makes us remember all that Jesus taught. We need the Holy Spirit to direct our minds, to focus our attention, and to reveal this truth to us. Why? We are called to know this truth. We are called to live it and to testify to it. We can't allow the world to prevent us from receiving it or to make us forget it.
I have told you this so that you may not fall away.
When we have to stand up for the truth and choose it over and against the lies of the culture we must first know it. And that starts, not with our limited attention spans, but with the grace of God.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
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