For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT
A most frequent story plot for books and movies is a person believing life should be more than it has amounted to so far, and so they go looking for more. They chase success in their careers, relationships, finances, notoriety – success by numerous definitions. But what we commonly see as success and give our lives seeking is an illusion. The average person who reaches midlife and is successful by most definitions would agree that it is easy for success to demand more than it provides. Even celebrities like Jim Carrey have given glimpses of their lives, and they aren’t that much different in the ways that matter. Jim said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” William Shatner said, “Careers are here and they’re gone. No matter how great we think we are, we’re nothing but the temples of Ozymandias – ruins in the making.” Repeatedly we experience that reaching the peak of success we once desired intensely often shows us that success isn’t quite enough.
Dorcas’s story (Acts 9) is about choosing a goal and a way of life that is far better and more satisfying than success. It is finding significance. Significance is a better goal than chasing success because success is self-centered and temporary, while significance is service-driven and leaves a lasting impact. Success focuses on personal achievement, status, wealth, and recognition. It asks, “What did I gain or accomplish?” Significance is about character, purpose, and how you help others. It asks, “Whose life is better because I was here?”
Dorcas lived in the town of Joppa and was part of a thriving Christian community. She was a Jesus-follower who found great purpose and significance in following Him. She knew that Jesus “went about doing good” because Peter taught her. Peter knew Jesus personally and preached in the area (Acts 10:18). She chose to find her significance in doing good and helping the poor as he did. She considered what abilities she had and what she could do. Dorcas was a skilled seamstress and spent her life making the clothes and cloaks which were absolute necessities for living. She was so faithful and dependable to serve that when she became terribly ill the people in the community grieved deeply, and they gathered items to show Peter the impact she made on their lives. When Peter came to comfort them, he was deeply moved by their loss. So was God! She was the source of so much good that God answered Peter’s prayer and raised her back to life!
- There’s no better way to gain significance that lasts than following Jesus by living a lifestyle of doing good. What evidence do the people around me have that they could show to illustrate my significance through faithfulness in doing good?