Pillars in the House of God (pt.4)

One more pillar (until next week).  

Pillar #3:  Women who model the life of Dorcas; "full of good works and acts of charity."

Like Dorcas, women who live the "Dorcas-way" often function in obscurity.  Their labors of love are often done in secret, or without much fanfare.  This is how they like it.  

Dorcas was full of good works and acts of charity (Acts 9:36-42).  Her life was so devoted to the care of others she was no longer functioning in obscurity.  She probably wanted to be, but her labors of love had made her well known in the region.  When she became sick and died, her friends sent for Peter.  Peter, who probably also had heard about this woman, immediately responded to their request for help.  When he went into her room Dorcas's friends were weeping and showing Peter all the things that Dorcas had made to be given away.  Can't you just picture the scene? Peter was moved with compassion and the Holy Spirit came upon Peter with power to restore her to life.  This became known throughout the city and many came to faith as a result.  An amazing story of a great pillar in the Joppa church.

Women are designed by God to be nurturers.   Every day we hear of women with nurturing hearts giving biblical counsel for how to cope with divorce, an abortion, or abuse.  Dorcas women extend kindness to orphans, widows, shut-ins.  These are the women delivering meals to the sick and the needy as well as visiting those in prison, defending the unborn and providing hospitality wherever there is a need. The list goes on.  

There are many areas in which women can serve the church for which men are either not gifted, or for which men are not as available, or where it is more prudent for a woman to serve than a man. Where would Trinity be without this kind of care? Along with the doctrinally sound preaching, passionate worship, biblical fellowship, and evangelism, it is these acts of service that round out the life of Trinity and keeps it biblically balanced.

Ladies, I want to encourage you all in your God-given capacity to love, nurture, tenderly care for the sick, the hurting, the helpless, the lost.  God sees you, just as He saw Dorcas.  God will one day bless you with a "well done though good and faithful servant."  But not only God sees; others see as well.  We are all affected by your service.  Because of your consistent, untiring efforts we are all challenged to serve God better.  You are an example to follow.  Thank you.