Leadership Lessons from the Lesser Known
Day after day she sat by a window in her home high up on a cliff that overlooked the small harbor below. She was a woman of means who chose to spend her days sewing coats and clothing to give to the widows and orphans who lived nearby.
You see, the town where she lived was a prosperous trading center, but many struggled to survive. On the fringes of society, widows and orphans relied on the kindness of strangers to help meet their most basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.
These were the people our servant-hearted seamstress wanted to help. The clothing she made was created with love.
She did not seek fame or fortune, but only the opportunity to serve poor widows and orphans by using the gift God had given her to make clothes for those in need.
One day a sickness came upon her, and she died. The widows and orphans she helped over the years gathered around her, mourning and weeping as they washed her and laid her in her room.
Someone sent for Peter, who was only a few miles away. When Peter arrived, they told Peter of all the good work the woman had done in her life. Peter sent them away, knelt over the seamstress, prayed, and told her to get up. Her life returned to her, and Peter presented her to the people of the town.
The story of her resurrection caused a revival, with many of the townspeople turning their lives over to God.
This is the story of Dorcas as recounted in Acts 9:36-42. A simple seamstress who devoted her life to God by ministering to those in need.
What We Learn from Dorcas
Although Dorcas’ story is told in only six verses, there is a lot we learn about our servant-hearted seamstress.
She was a Christian. While not one of the apostles, Dorcas was a disciple of Jesus (v. 36a).
She was a working philanthropist. Dorcas was described as always doing good works and acts of charity (v. 36b). She didn’t just talk about helping those in need; she used her gift and did the work she was called to do!
She was loved by those she served. When she died, it was the people she helped who mourned her passing, who prepared for burial, and who sent for Peter (vv. 37-38).
She was raised from the dead. When Peter arrived, and they told him about Dorcas’s life of service and ministry to those in need, Peter asked to be alone with her. Peter prayed for her healing, and Dorcas was resurrected (v. 40).
She caused a revival. After her resurrection, Peter presented Dorcas to the people of the town as proof of the miracle. The result of the resurrection miracle was many believed in Jesus (vv. 41-42).
Lessons for Leaders
I am often asked, “How can I integrate my faith in the workplace?” There is no one right answer because every person’s workplace situation is different.
But there is a lot we can learn and apply to our workplace from the example of Dorcas.
Dorcas didn’t have some big organization supporting her ministry; it was just her doing what God called her to do.
Dorcas did what she could for those God put before her. We can’t solve all the world’s problems by ourselves, but we certainly can make a difference in the lives of some who are near us. Dorcas focused her ministry by using the gift and resources God had given her with the people who were most in need.
Perhaps the most important lesson to take away from Dorcas’s life is that she didn’t just talk about doing good works – she activated her ministry by doing good works.
James said that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). We can say we have faith, but unless our faith is brought to life in our actions, then our faith means little.
These days, there is no shortage of leaders telling us we should do this or that to help others. Still, there are far fewer people using the gifts and resources God has entrusted to them to do the work of ministry God has for them.
Leaders let us be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Let us be men and women, who seek not acclaim, but the opportunity to serve our fellow man in a way that brings honor and glory to God.
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. What is the ministry gift God has given you that you can use to serve others?
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Category: Relationships | Servant Leadership
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