Stay Put: Your Work is Not finished.
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (Dorcas in Greek) she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time, she became sick and died...Lydda was near Joppa so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Come at once!”...All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes and seeing Peter, she got up...This became known all over Joppa and many people believed in the Lord. Acts 9:36-43.
Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes and seeing Peter, she got up...This became known all over Joppa and many people believed in the Lord. Acts 9:36-43.
This particular miracle is rather fascinating in context because of the vacuum Dorcas would have left in the Church if she had not come back to life. Her ministry was vital. She helped the poor, was “continually” good and made clothes for people. The Church could simply not afford to see her dead! They went to bat for her and sent emissaries to Peter with an urgent message, “come at once.” Peter raised her back to life and many people believed in Jesus as a result.
As I ponder over this miracle, a question grips my heart: what kind of impact am I having on others? And what kind of impact are you having on others? Is your impact so valuable that your church, family or community cannot afford to “lose” you to heaven just yet? Are you fulfilling an invaluable purpose? Can you honestly say that your life is so selfless that going to Heaven now will be premature? If that is the case, then boldly tell God that you will stay put because your work is not finished! Ask God for long life because you are valuable to the Kingdom.
The Psalmist says in Psalm 115 that, “dead people can’t praise God - not a word to be heard from those buried in the ground.”
The Psalmist also says in Psalm 118, “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.”
Paul boldly asserts in Philippians 1, If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me...I am torn between the two; I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and faith…
Let’s live in such a way that we can boldly ask God for more years because of the fruit of our lives and the critical impact we have in nourishing others. So, stay put: you have work to do.
As I ponder over this miracle, a question grips my heart: what kind of impact am I having on others? And what kind of impact are you having on others? Is your impact so valuable that your church, family or community cannot afford to “lose” you to heaven just yet? Are you fulfilling an invaluable purpose? Can you honestly say that your life is so selfless that going to Heaven now will be premature? If that is the case, then boldly tell God that you will stay put because your work is not finished! Ask God for long life because you are valuable to the Kingdom.
The Psalmist says in Psalm 115 that, “dead people can’t praise God - not a word to be heard from those buried in the ground.”
The Psalmist also says in Psalm 118, “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.”
Paul boldly asserts in Philippians 1, If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me...I am torn between the two; I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and faith…
Let’s live in such a way that we can boldly ask God for more years because of the fruit of our lives and the critical impact we have in nourishing others. So, stay put: you have work to do.
Prayer: Lord, please give me strength equal to my days. Satisfy me with long life so that I can continue to impact others for your glory. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.