5 - Lydia's Leadership is Action
Presence and action speak louder than title or position
Welcome to the next installment of The Lydia Effect (If you’re new here, catch up anytime with the Table of Contents).
At first glance, Lydia’s story seems simple—a few verses about a woman providing hospitality, but there is more in this story. She did not wait behind anyone. Not. Even. Close. She stepped forward, made decisions, and spoke up.
When God opened her heart, Lydia acted. She opened her home, her life, and the doors of the early church. Lydia had an opportunity to serve, to create, to lead—and she took the shot.
Lydia’s story didn’t match what I’d been taught about women in church. But the more I studied, the clearer it became: she was a leader. She didn’t hold a title—but she had conviction, took initiative, and made something happen.
This line always struck me—Leadership is about action, not position.
Years ago, before I ever thought of redecorating my living room into “The Lydia Living Room” (more on that story later!), I put up a framed poster with an eagle, just rising from the water with a fish in its claws, and that quote printed underneath.
I wanted my son and others I mentored to learn what I knew: whether on the soccer field, in families, in communities, or in a crisis—presence and action speak louder than a title.
That’s Lydia’s leadership.
Now that I am approaching empty nest, I finally had to turn the question on myself: Laura, what if you stopped waiting and stepped into your story with bold faith—just like Lydia did?
At first, the question terrified me. I was much more comfortable analyzing how women in general could step forward in faith, but me specifically? Well, maybe someday. I made excuses—bad timing, insecurities, finances, doubts, even small excuses like my kitchen wasn’t ready for guests. Once when I was chickening out a friend called me on it, directly with kindness — “Laura, you are missing the point!” She was right (more on this story later, too!). I had been hiding from my faith and calling.
I still held on to a great excuse: as a scientist and an independent woman, I didn’t feel welcome. Too often, especially in the church, women have been told that leadership belongs to others. That bold women are too much, too disruptive, and definitely not welcome. Some still twist holy Scripture into a cage, building entire systems to limit instead of empower women of faith.
I was torn because the God I know rejects fear and oppression, but I still got cold feet: who am I to say anything about 2000 years of this story? Maybe it’s just not for me to pursue my faith after all, especially if I can’t be me. It must be THEIR faith, and not mine. Yes, that’s right—I had given up hope that the Christian church was for strong, independent women like me. I tried to leave it in my past for so long.
Have you ever felt that too? Like you’re an outsider in your own faith story—like you believe, but don’t quite belong?
These questions still stir up emotions and debates, but I realized finally that I wasn’t alone in this problem.
The more I imagined Lydia doing what she did, the stronger I felt. My heart swelled. Her story challenged me to rethink my own assumptions about faith and leadership. She reminded me that bold faith is about showing up with conviction in the simplest small way—right where we are. That single small action transformed her community and beyond. I totally love that. I want to be that.
So, that is exactly what I am doing, one small step at a time.
Lydia didn’t need a perfect plan or someone to roll out a red carpet, and neither do I. Neither do we. We just need to open our hearts to God and act.
The reality is, God made some potent, bold, outspoken women. Women that are not submissive - women that act as leaders regardless of title. And guess what else? We are women of deep faith, just like Lydia.
We’ll go deeper into what bold faith looks like in the chapters ahead. But next week, I’ll give you a glimpse of how I noticed courage growing — and how to cultivate it.
Next week - 6 Lydia's Contagious Courage - The Courage Pattern
The chaos in the world creates fear and fear can create inaction — like a frozen state. It does that to me, too sometimes. Are you noticing any of that normal hesitation right now?
Reflection Prompts:
What do you think is holding you back from taking the next small step in faith or renewal?
What would it feel like to say yes to something unknown?
If fear wasn’t in the way, what would you say yes to today?
Faith in action can start so small — so even the tiniest steps build courage. Is there a micro step you can take or encourage someone else to take as a start?
Share this post or text a friend about your thoughts or invite them into a conversation about fear, faith, and action. (yes, The Buddy System!)
Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
Matthew 26:13