Here we are again, for the second year in a row, celebrating women in the Bible for Women’s History month. Each week I will be featuring women from the Bible that may not be well known or highlighted often and see how they made an eternal impact in the Kingdom.
I’ve been thinking about death a lot in the last year. Definitely not trying to be morbid, but it has definitely been on my mind heavily, but not in a scary or fearful kind of way. This is growth for me because as a child I used to be terrified to die. I thought I had every health condition and ailment known to mankind. I am grateful the Lord has delivered me from this fear of death, but perhaps more than death, I’ve been really also thinking about how I live, and if I am truly living purposefully, the way God has intended me to live. I find myself asking questions like:
What kind of legacy am I leaving?
What deposit would I have left in the earth so that others knew I was here?
What ways did I display my love for Jesus and my faith and how did it positively impact the lives of others?
What do I want to be most remembered for?
Will the impact of my absence be felt, not just because of the loss, but because of what that loss symbolizes for others?
Who would have come to know Jesus through my death and in the way that I lived?
There is a saying that when a church is in a community and the church relocates, their impact in the community should be deeply felt and they should be missed. I believe this to be true for our individual lives as followers of Jesus Christ.
Such was the life of a woman we meet in Acts 9:36-42. She was described as a believer/disciple in Joppa named Tabitha, or Dorcas if translated to Greek. Her name, which means female gazelle, is interesting because gazelles are known to be swift animals and are admired for their beauty. Even more significant than this, however, is how Tabitha lived her life. It’s important to note that the author felt it important enough to describe who she was and who her allegiance was to, even before we know her name. In fact, we learn so much about her in just one verse.
A disciple, in Greek, means a pupil, which means she was a student. We know a disciple is a follower of Christ. She was also described by her works:
She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.
Acts 9:36, NLT
Her faith was not without works and therefore, was not dead as our brother James defines in James 2:17. In short, Tabitha was known for how she lived, so much so that her death impacted many. When the believers learned that Peter was nearby, they called for him to come quickly, hoping there was something he could do.
We also learn that when Peter entered the upper room where they had prepared Tabitha’s body, present was the extent of her impact. The room:
…was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them.
Acts 9:39, NLT
As we read further on, Tabitha is raised from the dead. Even this miracle, led to an even greater impact, as many believed in the Lord (v. 42). Talk about a life well lived! In just a few short verses, we learn of a woman who impacted others in life as well as in her death, the most important one being that many came to know Jesus because of her death. Will the same be said about you and the life you are currently living?
But before you go…
***Tomorrow is not promised. Today is all we have. If you are reading this and haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as Your Lord and Savior, would you consider doing so right now? Jesus died so He could have a personal relationship with you and so that one day, when you leave this earth, you can spend eternity with Him. You can say a prayer similar to this:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. You showed Your great love for me, while I was in my sinful state, by sending Jesus Christ to die for me. Today, right now, I declare that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. Please enter into my heart, Lord Jesus, forgive me of all of my sins, and seal me with Your Holy Spirit. I choose this day to live for You, all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you said this prayer (or something similar) and you truly meant it, welcome to the family of God! Angels in heaven are rejoicing with you on the best decision you will ever make in life, and so am I! Please send me an email (ladyinwaiting222@gmail.com) or respond to this post so I can celebrate with you!
Genesis 2:22, NLT
Scripture references: The Holy Bible (NLT)
References: Blueletterbible.org
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Lady In Waiting 222 