The Human Billboard
Acts 9:39b “All the widows stood by him (Peter) weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.”
Have you ever inquired about something when it would have been advisable to ignore it? Has curiosity ever gotten the best of you? If so, welcome to my club, pull up a seat, and let me share.
For my husband’s birthday, our son gave him a tandem skydiving experience. The first thought that popped into my head was, “Why in the world would anyone want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?” My husband was genuinely excited, but I began to pray for monsoon rains to cancel such nonsense.
Both of my guys went to great lengths to assure me of the safety of this adventure. The day of the jump, having no rain in sight, we arrived at the airfield toting all manner of video equipment. (Not sure if this was for our posterity or for the insurance claim I was sure was impending.) Prayerfully, I walked with them into the airfield office. Behind the desk sat a young woman registering all skydivers. My first glimpse of her left me paralyzed. She was perched high on a stool with both legs stretched out straight as boards in casts from her thighs to her ankles.
Surely to goodness she did not injure herself skydiving! If so, how preposterous to allow her to be the “human billboard” advertising the safety of their company!
My curiosity getting the best of me, (and still being confident her injuries had nothing to do with skydiving) I sympathetically inquired about her two broken legs. Looking straight at me, she replied, “I broke my legs skydiving!”
WHAT?
I was halfway to the car with camera gear in hand before my husband could retrieve me.
Long story short, both my guys jumped from the airplane that day and still talk about the thrill of it all. On the other hand, I still talk about the girl behind the desk. In my wildest dreams I cannot fathom the fact that she was the face (and the broken legs) of an organization that caused her injuries. What a dreadful “human billboard” she was!
In the book of Acts, we find another “human billboard,” named Dorcas. Dorcas, a seamstress, was intentionally a positive advertisement for Christianity in Joppa and her talents reached far beyond sewing. When Dorcus died, there was great sadness over her passing. The widows in Joppa were not mourning the fact they would no longer receive new clothes from Dorcas. They were mourning the loss of a dear friend who loved them, who knew their hurts, and who bore their sorrows right alongside them. Her primary influence was not with her needle and thread. Her primary influence was from her heart overflowing with compassion, love, and generosity. All of Joppa witnessed Christianity in action through the life Dorcas advertised.
The girl in the skydiving office was the worst example of a “human billboard” I had ever seen, for she was the first impression of the skydiving company. Her broken legs spoke loud and clear to the chance of injury from skydiving. Dorcas, on the other hand, was a godly example of a “human billboard.” Her good works and tender heart spoke loud and clear of a life lived through Christ Jesus.
Sisters, may we follow the example of Dorcas with hearts filled with love, lives committed to serving others, and compassion for those hurting. Then we, like Dorcas, will be “human billboards” for Christ, bringing others to Him and bringing glory to our Father.
Father God, may our lives advertise the beauty of living a life in You.
Blessings,
Rita Cochrane