What are you “full of” / I thought I was exempt…

Read: Acts 9:36-43

“Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.” (v.36) What would people describe you as being full of? Laughter? Joy? Good ideas? Hard work? “Charity”? Kindness? Wisdom? It is a scary prospect to ask those around you to tell you what you are “full of”! I can imagine a few choice words that might come back. LOL. Dorcas was described as “full of good works and charity”. What a powerful reputation to have. So why did she have to “become ill and die”? (v.37)

Isn’t this in the back of all of our minds? There is this tiny part of us that thinks if we follow the Lord, and are “full of good works and charity” that we will be exempt from the suffering and illness of this world… or from what would seem like a “premature” death. Isn’t the world better off if God keeps these sorts of people around? The truth is that none of us are exempt from the illness and suffering of this world, but as the children of God we do know that we will live forever… and that not even death can hold us down or separate use from the love of Christ. (cf. Rom. 8:35-39)

Once again, the disciples call out to Peter… why? Because he has demonstrated that God regularly works the miracle of healing through him. When your Spiritual Gift is healing, it makes sense that people call for you when others are ill. This is why the community of faith needs to intentionally work towards empowering people to use their gifts… whatever the gifts are. I want you to notice one other thing regarding how Peter goes about this: “But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.” (v.40) Peter prayed and asked God what he was going to do here. Peter offered up the “prayer of faith” and then listened to what God said. It was only after prayer that Peter obediently declared what the Lord had led him into. (cf. James 5:13-20) Remember, it is Christ who heals and raises from the dead. To have the gift of healing does not mean you go around deciding who to heal… or that you control who gets healed… not at all. The gifts flow through us as God’s people, while we remain dependent on him. Prayer and communication with the Lord will always precede miraculous use of our spiritual gifts. We need to grow into the gifts the Lord has given us, and begin to recognize Spirit giftedness in others so we know who to call and when!

The people of God will always bring life to one another when we are using our gifts and being led by the Lord… this is both literal (as here in Acts) and figurative. Our gifts have been given to one another for the building up of the body. (cf. Eph. 4:12) What would others say you are “filled with''? Have you asked others if they have experienced the Lord thorough you… and if so… how? Do you need help? Ask around regarding who in the body has shown gifts in the area you have need. Do not be discouraged if you are facing “illness” or strife that is draining life such as Dorcas was… God will breathe life into you again as his child… one way or another. Realize that even those who are “full of good works and charity” must endure suffering and illness… but God will always bring new life through is Son to his children. Often this is through his people… sometimes it is through angels… and other times through Christ himself! Love you guys. - JDP