Lioiness Arising-Book Review

If ever there comes a time when the women of the world come together purely and simply for the benefit of mankind, it will be a force such as the world has never known.  "

                             – Mathew Arnold, 19^th Century British Poet and Philosopher

 In Lioness Arising, Lisa Bevere discusses how women are the called of God, co-heirs in the kingdom and fully equipped to carry out what God has called each of us, as followers of the Way, to accomplish
By observing and studying the life of the lioness, Lisa applies the similar character qualities we as the Woman of God share with these  majestic creatures.  The ability to care for and train her young, the ability to wait and watch, hunt.  The way she works with other lioness in caring for the pack and how she submits to the Lions authority in the pack.  

Lisa Bevere is the kind of writer who beautifully weaves together an illustration to achieve the message of the moment.  In her observation of how the lioness would sleep and rest, un-noticed by other animals in the plain, when she did rouse herself, the air was electric with anticipation of what the lioness would do.  So, too, when the women of God rise to our feet and respond to our place in the kingdom, there is anticipation in the heavenly places with the realization of our potential to change the world around us.

To this idea, she quotes from the Message:

 “Get out of bed and get dressed!  Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute.

 Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!”  

Romans 14:11-14.

Sometimes I need that admonition.  Get UP.  Don't WAIT.  Do you?

Lisa addresses the issue of women in the church and the role we are to play in the work of the kingdom.  Using the example of the relationship between the lion and lioness, she describes how both male and female work together to accomplish the common mission:  to protect and provide for the pack, to establish a legacy of strength with the next generation.  While each knows their role, they do not usurp the role of the other. 

This causes me to pose the question:  What will happen in the kingdom's work when genders are reconciled and finally work together to accomplish the great commission, honoring one another, encouraging one another, supporting one another in our gifting?  What could we accomplish if we weren't so busy worried over who is supposed to what and simply accept that:

"He created them male and female and blessed them.”

Genesis 5:2

Lisa writes, " it’s time for us to lay aside our gender issues and move away from extremes that render us ineffective.  It’s time to wake up to how God has purposed us to be—strong in him, an asset to men, and a voice of redemption to the lost and hurting in the world. "

Lioness Arising is a must read.  I plan to read this book again before sharing it with a friend.  I hope you will read this powerful, encouraging, inspiring book too.