EquipHer Vol. 34: The “Boss Businesswoman” of the BibleSample

Where Does Success Begin?

The Bible presents the perfect model of a businesswoman. A woman who embodied both strategic intelligence and spiritual sensitivity, vision and obedience, influence and integrity - her name was Lydia. Although Lydia’s story is told in only a few verses, it holds profound principles about God’s definition of success.

Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth—a luxury product that symbolized wealth and status. She operated in the economy of the Roman Empire, a world that demanded discernment and calculated risk. She was a woman of influence and was accustomed to dealing with the highest social circles. She had intelligence, competence, and courage—but the turning point of her life did not come through her skills, it came through her availability.

“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, NIV). Scripture tells us that Lydia “listened”—and that “the Lord opened her heart”. Two actions, distinct yet inseparable.

God speaks, but it is up to us to be available to listen. Sometimes, we fail to listen because our hearts and minds are too full — full of noise, distractions, or fear. However, we must remember that a rigid heart cannot be filled; a distracted heart cannot receive direction.

Lydia listened, and in her listening, there was availability — the willingness to pause and to receive. God spoke to her right where her life unfolded each day — in the flow of her ordinary routine – at the river surrounded by her work and by the relationships she managed.

It is the same for us. Right where you are—amid your responsibilities, decisions, and ordinary routines—God is trying to speak to you. The question is: Is your heart available to listen?

The first principle we want to reflect on today is this: Success, according to God, begins with a heart that is willing to listen and be led.

Before God opens a door for us, He opens our heart. Once the heart opens and becomes available for God’s work, everything else finds its direction. This is exactly what happened to Lydia: the moment she opened her heart to listen, God began to order her steps. Listening produced obedience, and obedience became direction.

Maybe, like Lydia, you are standing in the middle of your everyday life—managing projects, responsibilities, and countless demands, and right there, in the flow of it all, God is speaking to you. You do not need a new environment or a new opportunity, you simply need an open heart.

Ask yourself today: “In what area of my life am I making decisions without first listening for God’s voice and seeking His direction?”

Prayer: Lord, open my heart as You opened Lydia’s—make it sensitive and willing to hear Your voice, so that I may follow the direction You give. Let every project I pursue be guided by Your Spirit and not just by my own ambitions. I want my success to reflect Your will, that every decision I make would be an act of worship, and that my work would become a visible expression of Your Kingdom in the place You have positioned me. Amen.