Tabitha

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. - Acts 9:36

I think this is an awesome testimony for Tabitha.  All we know about her is that she was "always," not sometimes, not when it was convenient, not just when she felt like it, but "always doing good and helping the poor".  That is an incredible testimony.  I have a long way to go for it to be said of me anything more than that when it was convenient I sometimes did good or occasionally helped the poor.  I find this very convicting.

Unfortunately, the in very next verse says she died and the story of Tabitha becomes her coming back to life as Peter comes to her house and prays for her.  I don't want to take away from her testimony, since that's what I want to focus on, but this is Peter, not Jesus, who is with her when she comes back to life.  Obviously Peter does this in the name of Jesus and through His Power alone, but I find it amazing.  Contrary to many theologians and preachers of today, I believe this is still possible in today's world.  There just aren't any men or women following Jesus that closely.

Back to reflecting upon Tabitha, I find myself going to this verse.  Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life (Philippians 2:14-16a).  I think the reflection of the widows in the story of Tabitha is that she was like a star in the sky to them.  She shined brightly.

I don't think it was just her works that the people appreciated, but her true compassion that led to her works.  I say this, having lived in this world, because I know that you have to have a real compassion for people to make them things requiring your time and energy just for their need.  Otherwise you'll stop and you can't do it "always."  And if some of the poor then are like some of them now, you have to have a real compassion to "always ... help the poor."  They can be very difficult to help at times.

I want to have a testimony like hers one day and I want to shine like stars in the sky to the lost in this world.  It is imperative for me to find where I can be doing good and helping others.  I pray today that God would impress upon me where that ministry opportunity is and what's my purpose for it.