Why Tabitha's Team?
In Joppa, there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name was Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.
Acts 9:36
Christian women may be the most stressed-out people in the world.
Somewhere in the middle of Proverbs 31, we have all come close to a nervous breakdown. The sun beat us out of bed, we're out of cereal, and our children did a lot of mumbling as they got up, but we're pretty sure they did not call us "blessed." We've already failed on three counts, and it's not even eight o'clock. We'll try harder tomorrow. Is this the life God intended when he saved us?
It sounds silly, but this is what we do.
Christian women tend to think that striving to meet a standard brings us closer to godliness.
But God wants the glory for his grace, and we'd better not forget it. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6b) Wow. God is not just annoyed by the proud. He opposes the proud. The minute we take the task of living our lives as Christian women into our own hands, we put ourselves opposite of God. Who do you think will win that battle?
If you are striving to match a role model of "the perfect Christian woman" (such as that lovely Proverbs 31 goddess) you have lost your focus. Chip Ingram wrote about this struggle in Holy Ambition: As we walk with God in radical faith, we must be on our guard so that we do not compare ourselves with others. Comparison is always the road toward carnality, where the focus shifts from what God is doing to what we think we are doing for him.
It doesn't matter that since we became Christians we compare ourselves to Biblical women instead of magazine cover models.
We are comparing ourselves to others, and therefore focusing on what we are doing for God.
So what do we do with these famous women in the Bible? They are part of God's word, right? Aren't we supposed to learn from them? Yes, we are, and when we study them we will find that these famous Bible women were favored because their first priority was a relationship with God, and from that relationship amazing works poured out.
This is why I have chosen Tabitha as a model.
Her first priority was being a disciple, a follower of Jesus. Out of this closeness to her savior flowed a life of always doing good works and helping the poor. (Acts 9:36)
We know very little about her:
- She was loved by many.(Acts 9:39)
- Her works focused on other women. (Acts 9:39)
- She was so valuable to the church that Peter left his work to raise her from the dead. (Acts 9:40)
The details of Tabitha's life are missing except for one thing: She was a disciple.
Most of her works are unsung.
I'm sure that it does not matter to Tabitha. I don't know for certain, but I'll bet when you get to heaven and ask her about it, all she will remember is the joy of her daily walk with Jesus.
Discipleship Resources
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Drawing Women Closer to the Heart of God, DVD By Beverly LaHaye / Word Entertainment Inc |
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When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference By Carolyn Custis James / Zondervan |
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My Utmost For His Highest, Classic Edition, Mass Market Paperback By Oswald Chambers / Barbour Publishing |
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The Practice of the Presence of God By Brother Lawrence / Baker |
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O2: Breathing New Life into Faith By Richard Dahlstrom / Harvest House Publishers |
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The Beloved Disciple: Following John to the Heart of Jesus By Beth Moore / B & H Publishing Group |
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The Beloved Disciple: Following John to the Heart of Jesus (abridged on 3 Compact Discs) By Beth Moore, Sandra Burr / Brilliance Audio |
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John: 90 Days with the Beloved Disciple By Beth Moore / B & H Publishing Group |
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