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 sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
--Parallel verses:
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
In the world of property risk, we look at ignition sources and fuel loads as the primary risk factors for fire. An ignition source can be something obvious such as a spark coming off of a frayed wire or a cigarette butt. It can also be something quite unordinary, like the heat of the sun or the heat generated by too much wood stacked on top of each other (this is one of the reasons why they have sprinklers at sawmills going over the stacked logs).
Fuel loads are the things that burn. This is the wood, the gasoline, the chemicals that burn after they are lit on fire.
When I think of the story of Tabitha, she does not strike me as someone who always had the right answer or the polished response for those around her. She let her work speak for her heart. And her heart was very close to the heart of God. She saw “kingdom potential” in the people around her, and she encouraged them and helped build up their faith. She did this with the abilities and skill-sets God gave her. She lived her life —LIT UP!
She was an ignition source every bit as powerful as a spark or the sun. Her life was a spark based on a relationship with Jesus. And when she died, so many people realized the huge community loss that had happened, that they honored her.
God honored her too, as he used Peter to raise her from the dead. I believe this was for two purposes, first, so she could lead those in ministry who were ready to step into her place when she died, and second, to be a light to those in the community around her.
Her death and resurrection fanned a revival. But I believe this revival was already being started by her ministry. It’s like God threw gas on the fire of her life; and the testimony of faith in Jesus that she lived by … expanded! Praise God! May it be so said of me!
Lord, I seek to have my light shine brightly. The light of Christ found in the hearts of those true followers — it is powerful to save! And you will use this spark and fire however you see fit. I lay my life and its work at your feet. Help me live life LIT UP for you!
