"You're NOT Invisible...You're Just Quiet"

[Timl1980]

That is a direct quote from a very loving older sister who gave me the biggest longest hug I've ever experienced in my life...(save from my mom).

 

I had been standing at the back of the Hall, pouring out my heart to this lovely older couple when suddenly the sister stepped forward, hugged me tightly...and whispered those words into my ear.

 

Then she asked me to take out my phone and write down the following scriptures to look at when I got home:

 

Acts 9:36-42: "36 Now there was in Jopʹpa a disciple named Tabʹi·tha, which means, when translated, “Dorʹcas.” She abounded in good deeds and gifts of mercy that she was making. 37 But in those days she fell sick and died. So they bathed her and laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydʹda was near Jopʹpa, when the disciples heard that Peter was in that city, they sent two men to him to urge him: “Please come to us without delay.”* 39 At that Peter got up and went with them. And when he arrived, they led him up into the upper room; and all the widows presented themselves to him, weeping and showing many garments and robes that Dorʹcas had made while she was with them. 40 Peter then put everyone outside,+ and kneeling down, he prayed. Then turning toward the body, he said: “Tabʹi·tha, rise!” She opened her eyes, and as she caught sight of Peter, she sat up.+ 41 Giving her his hand, he raised her up, and he called the holy ones and the widows and presented her alive.+ 42 This became known throughout all Jopʹpa, and many became believers in the Lord."

 

I read the account later that day...I thought about it...but other than a couple of smaller points, I couldn't figure out what she was getting at. So I called them, and asked. I can't quote verbatim what she said...but I'll do my best to translate...because it was powerful to me...I've been meditating on it all week.

 

She said my service to Jehovah may feel invisible at times...but that's only because I've been measuring it the way humans do...through what I'm doing at this moment. But what if Jehovah is even now preserving all the "routine" things that  I simply do...things I take for granted?

 

She asked me to think about the account of Dorcas, (Tabitha). When this dear sister died unexpectedly...the sisters didn't bring words with them...they didn't talk about this sister's spiritual accomplishments...they literally brought clothes...clothes this dear sister had made for the widows!

 

She told me to think about what that would have looked like, (she is also a sewer...or maybe it's seamstress?), especially back then. Sewing clothes takes place quietly, it would have been done throughout the day...maybe even a few stitches at a time in between house chores. (This sister actually said that each and every stitch could be called a mini act of love that never asked to be noticed). 

 

And then I thought about it: Jehovah could have preserved so many other details about Dorcas to show us her value...but when he inspired Luke to write this book, he pointed us to what people were wearing!

 

This sister said, "Tim...when Dorcas died...the congregation didn't just "explain" how valuable she was...they literally FELT it."

 

Then she hit me with a few haymakers: Have I ever wondered if what I do for Jehovah would actually be missed if I suddenly stopped? If I stopped all my spiritual activity right here and now...what quiet acts would speak up for me and be missed?

 

Jehovah didn't record Dorcas's words...he recorded her acts...and when he chose to act on her behalf...he did so with resurrection.

 

Do you know what this sister asked me next?

 

"I sometimes wonder, Tim...why didn't Jehovah use that resurrection on a brother who had died but who was integral to the 1st century Christian congregation? I mean, he didn't HAVE to resurrect her JUST to prove that he could...so why her?"

 

Her conclusion? Get ready, because this hit me hard: 

 

"Jehovah didn’t just resurrect Dorcas. He resurrected the kind of service that is easiest to overlook."

 

Jehovah didn’t need to prove that he could resurrect...we already know that. Instead, with this resurrection, it appears he chose to show us what he remembers.

 

So maybe the question isn’t whether our service is visible.

Maybe the question is whether it’s woven.

 

Because what Jehovah records, he values. And what he values…he remembers.

 

Even when no one else does.

 

*To all my dear sisters...and to anyone else who feels invisible...just know Jehovah may not always make our quiet service visible...but he ALWAYS makes it count.

 

[dljbsp]

Hebrews 6:10