Acts 9:36-43 NKJV

[36] At Joppa, there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds, which she did. [37] But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. [38] And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. [39] Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. [40] But Peter put them all out and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. [41] Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. [42] And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. [43] So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.

I have no way to understand or explain why God does what He does. His ways are higher than ours. His understanding goes beyond what we are capable of perceiving. His timing isn't constrained by our understanding of time, so it often feels like He is late or He has forgotten.

Dorcas was well-known for her good works and her generosity. She was, by all accounts, a godly woman. She was a disciple. God used her life as a ministry to the people of Joppa, so her death greatly affected the people who knew her well. So, how could God use her death as a ministry?

A handful of people will know you by your works, but everyone will hear when God does His work. Being brought back to life reached far more people for Jesus than all of her good works combined. We can explain away the things that people do, but nobody can dismiss what God is capable of doing.

I like to think of myself as a good person. Even at my worst, I still had good attributes. It wasn't until I surrendered myself and my will to Jesus that I started becoming a godly person. God uses our pasts (our addictions, our downfalls, our sins, and our mistakes) to tell a far greater story than just being good people. Our best days pale in comparison to the goodness of the Almighty God.