Rise up in strength, beauty, and compassion to become the lioness you were created to be! My heart's cry before convention was for the women of Open Bible to realize who we are in Christ. As I prayed with various women, the cry within me emerged, "Arise, Women of God, become the Deborahs, Esthers, and Rahabs for His Kingdom!"

 

It's so easy to complain about the Church, our country, and to make excuses for our circumstances. Yet Jesus says that He has given US authority - as believers and in our special giftedness as women. We don't have to compete with our brothers in Christ, but we can complement each other with our strengths. More than ever they need us to be the lionesses, not divas controlled by every whim of emotion!

 

I recently started reading Lisa Bevere's book, Lioness Arising: Wake Up and Change Your World. It contains the same message that I believe God is amplifying to us! Lisa invites us to, "Look at the lioness, watch her closely. Let her awaken your untamed nature, your fierce beauty, and your unbridled strength so you can rise up and be the courageous women I have called you to be."

 

Who me? How is that strength and courage reflected in me? You may see yourself more as a mouse than a lioness, but I believe that when you sense danger and see the need, the strength arises! Deborah, Esther, and Rahab became risk-takers and rose to the occasion. Lisa lists several reasons for that lioness to arise from her leisurely nap in the African sun:

 

·        She rises to gather strength.

·        She rises to greet and groom others.

·        She rises to hunt.

·        She rises alongside other lionesses.

·        She rises to move the young to safety.

·        She rises to confront enemies that threaten the pride.

·        She rises to walk with her king.

 

Lisa reflects on this word picture: "When I think of a lioness, a smile plays along my mouth. I throw back my shoulders and stand a bit straighter. More than any other creature, the lioness makes me proud to be a female. There is no doubting her strength. I also imagine there is no creature that makes a man prouder to be a male than the lion. The lion is the king of the jungle, and there is no question about who is the queen."

 

Can you picture yourself as a lioness, as a daughter of the Most High God embracing your strength and developing courage to change your world? Can we arise together as women in Open Bible and of His Kingdom to unite and take authority in our personal lives, families, churches, and jobs? Will we be women of positive influence? Our King of Judah is calling!