Acts9:36-37 There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas ). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. NLT
Dorcas lived in the town of Joppa, a city on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. She was full of good works especially her charitable acts. She was much loved in the community of Joppa. Unfortunately, She took ill and died. The believers sent for Peter because they couldn't afford to lose her just like that. The widows showed Peter the clothes she made for them and they spoke well of her( Acts9:39).
In a nutshell, Peter prayed for her, and she came back to life. I have read this story for several years but I caught a new light recently. Many had died in Joppa and probably died in Joppa that day, it wasn't recorded that the people sought for ways to bring those people back to life. The concern about Dorcas' death pointed to something - she impacted the lives of people around her positively. She was too good to be missed. When people don't care about the dead, there maybe a need to review the lifetime of the departed.
I believe her coming back to life was not for her sake but for the sake of those widows and the less privileged in Joppa. Without her, their life may be meaningless. If you die today, aside your immediate family, are there people that will volunteer to pray you back to life? The less privileged should wake up and thank God for your existence and not wish for your death or ignore you as if you are not existing. John Holmes said, "There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up”. Who will miss you when you die?
Father, I receive the grace to live an impactful life in Jesus name.