Low on the Go!

Today, i examined the character of Tabitha/Dorcas found in Acts 9. If you haven't checked it out, she was also a quality, solid woman ^_^

The first thing we must note in this section of Acts 9 is that her description begins right away with the fact that she was a disciple. This is noteworthy because this verse is the only New Testament occurrence of the feminine version of the Greek word for disciple.

The second thing that must be recognized is that she is addressed by two names: Tabitha and Dorcas. Tabitha was her Aramaic name and Dorcas, her Greek name--this implies that she was known by BOTH Jewish and Greek members of her community.

v. 36(b) also states that she was full of good works and acts of charity--here was a woman committed to "advancing the happiness of others (C. McCulley)" The life she lived and her committment to the community is emphasized even more after she has passed away. Luke details the events after her death--mainly the church in Joppa sending two men who URGED Peter to come back with them, without delay. The church in Joppa loved Tabitha SO much, they sent people to beseech Peter to return with them.

This obviously means that her death was significant to the church there. Dorcas was no ordinary woman. She was a servant of the community, full of good works and acts of charity.

Peter then proceeds to pray and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Tabitha is raised from the dead. This news was heard throughout all Joppa (v. 42) and many believed in the Lord.

From this testimony there are two principles which can be applied to our lives:

1. Tabitha/Dorcas played an important role AS the helper she was designed to be (Gen 2:18) and because of her servant's heart was influential in her community. As a woman, i have been given the task of being "others' oriented"--i should desire to do good works and acts of charity which stem from my love for God and my love for people. oh, that i would embrace who i have been called to be! a helper!
in saying this, i hope that women who read this do not take offense. The role of a helper to men does not mean inequality, and it does not mean we, as women are inferior. Rather, to quote R.C Sproul "helper entails a man's inadequacy, not the woman's inferiority."

2. The second principle is this: the way in which we interact with our communities and show love to those around us will impact how effective our sharing of the gospel is. The hope is that in seeing our lives, and the miracles Christ has done in our hearts, many will believe.

(keep me in prayer! Day 1 of fasting is almost over. Pray that i would resist temptation and grow deeper in my hunger for God ^_^. thanks guys!)