What has been in your hand in the last few days? I’m talking about something that you do well and that you enjoy doing. Is it a rolling pin or measuring cup, a pen, a phone, a dust rag, a garden spade, your car keys, your walking shoes, or perhaps your Bible? Then you might enjoy writing, chatting, cleaning, gardening, running errands, being outdoors or studying the Scriptures. What are you doing with those things that could be a blessing to others?
I was recently studying for my Sunday school class about a pretty amazing lady. Her name is Tabitha, or Dorcas. Acts 9:36 says, Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. If you continue to read the story you find that Dorcas got sick and died. The widow women washed her and put her body in the upper chamber. Interesting that they didn’t bury her – they had faith that this dear lady wouldn’t stay dead! When Peter is summoned, the men didn’t invite him to Dorcas’ funeral; as Matthew Henry says, “they invited him to come to prevent it!”
When Peter arrived, the widows showed him all the things Dorcas had made for them. When I read that, my mind went to Proverbs 31:31b – Let her own works praise her in the gates. That’s what her good works were doing – praising her. When it says in verse 36 that “she was full of good works and almsdeeds” it doesn’t finish by saying, these were things that she talked about, or that she started. No, these were works and deeds that she did!
It’s easy to think about doing things, but never quite get around to doing them.Dorcas didn’t fall into that trap. She knew how to sew, probably enjoyed sewing, and saw how she could help others by making things for them.
So I’ve asked myself…what’s in my hand? Many of the above mentioned items are things I work with, and I’ve asked the Lord to show me how, when and who needs the things I’m holding. How about you? Will your works praise you in the gates, or will it just be the empty words of, “You know, I should help…”
Our works don’t save us, but they show the world that we are Christ’s disciples…just like Dorcas was. I’d like to be named with a woman like her. What will you do with the things in your hands?
With love,
RefreshHer 