Aliens understand the tensions felt in living between two worlds. If we are followers of Christ, then we are aliens to this world, and God expects us to live in the tension between our responsibilities to the world of our earthly "Caesar" (Mark 12:17) and the world of our Lord God. Aliens are blessed by God to understand this dual world tension.

But not all aliens become aliens against their will. Some people volunteer to become foreigners. Why would anyone do this? Who would voluntarily become an alien? Lydia did.

Lydia was smart, brave and ambitious. She made good on the opportunity to go out and prosper as a successful businessperson, even if it meant moving to another country and continent. She was from Thyatira, a city known for its commerce in Asia Minor, in what is today Turkey. Lydia had moved west into Europe to sell purple cloth, an expensive luxury commodity, and by moving had become an alien. A voluntary alien.

In Europe Lydia established a large household and a successful business in Philippi, a strategic city in Macedonia, in what is today Greece. Philippi was on the Egnatian Road, the major trade and travel route between Rome and Asia. Lydia was wealthy enough to command a whole household of people and a house large enough to welcome Paul's missionary team as houseguests.

Lydia was a worshiper of God. She belonged to a spiritual community that met regularly to pray, but she was not Jewish and did not know about Jesus until she heard Paul preach. When she heard the gospel, she believed. She was the first convert baptized in Europe, although she herself was Asian. She was so moved by knowing Jesus that she told Paul that he and his crew could stay at her house whenever he was in town.

And so the gospel was able to move from Asia into Europe for the first time. And Paul could respond to the vision he had of the Macedonian man pleading for help (v. 9).

Think of the impact of our Korean churches (mostly immigrants, mostly "voluntary aliens") on our Presbyterian family. My grandparents were different; they came to this country from Japan as poor uneducated farmers. Many Korean immigrants today come as well-educated successful businesspeople with open hearts and a passion for sharing. They are like Lydia. Brave enough to go into unfamiliar country. Industrious and generous enough to share their hearts and goods. Last November our Presbyterian Church's National Korean Presbyterian Council announced its pledge to support 20 missionaries for the next 10 years. Wow! It took my breath away.

Are you willing to be a voluntary alien? Strategically expatriate for the gospel? Brave, industrious and generous for the gospel?

Lydia did it. And the gospel moved from Asia into Europe. And we are blessed because of it. Try to imagine—how can you be like Lydia?

Next month:
Children: our own little aliens