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Topic: ADEPT (10/19/23)
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TITLE: Dorcas Doing Good. | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gloria Pierre Dean
10/25/23 -
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Dorcas was greatly loved and respected by the people of Joppa, it seems that she wasn’t conscious of the magnificent work she was doing and of its far-reaching consequences. She did not strive to be a leader but was content to stay in her own home and try to do all she could to serve the Lord, in her sphere of influence. Because of her faithful service, she became a leader in an almost universal philanthropic cause. She was adept at sewing; skilled and proficient.
Paul tells us, that one day, Dorcas became ill and died. Peter’s help was urgently requested by her friends. So, “they sent unto him two men, desiring him that not delay to come to them” {Acts 9:38b}.
Peter came. On his arrival, “All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made …”{Acts 9:39}.
Nowhere in the text does it say that she received payment for her kindness. Not only was she adept and creative, she was generous. She followed Christ in practical ways. Jesus loved and served in practical ways too.
As a result, Dorcas is called a disciple, a term of honour in Biblical writings. A disciple is a dedicated follower of Jesus.In following Jesus, Dorcas used her gift to serve others in the church and her community. She is, and was an example to us all.
Many women throughout history have sought to emulate the life of Dorcas by establishing “Dorcas Societies” that hold humanitarian ideals, engage in various relief activities, and whose sole purpose in existence is to do good. Her far-reaching effects may be seen in modern ministries, such as Dorcas Ministries.
“In June 1968, Margaret Keller gathered a small group of Christian ladies to address a growing concern: how to best serve our neighbors in need. From different races and denominations but united with one purpose, they agreed to work together to meet the needs of the Cary and Morrisville communities. With support from local churches, Dorcas Ministries was formed as a Christian Community in Action (CCA). Our mission remains the same today: to help our neighbors thrive”. [https://dorcasnc.org/who-we-are/#mission-values]
The ministries have since expanded into areas such as ‘education through adult literacy and preschool enrichment programs for low-income families’, helping homeless families with children, and a Thrift Store.
We can hold Dorcas as an example to all of us. She looked after the welfare of others. Remember what James 1:27 tells us, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this, to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” We can find no finer model of this pure religion than Dorcas, who through her adept, skill, expertise and proficiency displayed ‘religion’ thousands of years ago, and is still an example of loving and serving others.
In the words of Jesus, “But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” {Galatians 5:3}.
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