Part Three: Tabitha, Rise Up!

Beams of light were streaming through the clouds, hitting the rocks downriver. They drew lines against the misted landscape that looked like stairways to heaven. I had already developed a spiritual fitness for walking long distances, but in this new season the Holy Spirit, our Helper, prompted me to elevate into new levels of wisdom and understanding.

God used my suffering in the desert and the Gospel revelations in the valley to prepare me for the peaks where the fullness of His Grace can be seen. The Lord is faithful to complete the works He began in us. He calls us to get up, and the Word equips us to walk upright.

The power of the Holy Spirit helps us to rise into new positions in the Kingdom. God is calling Kingdom Women back into the fold.

WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT CALLS US TO RISE

I could have spent hours staring at the clouds, riding the sunbeam escalators higher and higher until I could touch the stars. But my attention was drawn to the light inside me. On the edge of the river below the mountain, the Holy Spirit prompted my elevation and illuminated my path to revelation.

In the book of Acts, tucked away between the Pentecost and multiple apostolic missions, we find a short story about a woman referred to as a disciple.

"Tabitha, rise up!”

The Apostle Peter spoke those words over the lifeless body of a woman from Joppa known for her kindness and generosity. Other disciples heard that Peter was close when Tabitha died, so they sent for him to come urgently.

When Peter arrived, he spent time with the widows mourning her death. They showed Peter the tunics and robes Tabitha sewed while she was still with them. I imagine they told him stories about her and why she was so special to them. The disciples name, Tabitha, and her Greek name Dorcas, mean gazelle. (Acts 9:36-42)

I couldn’t figure out the connection between gazelles and discipleship, but that was not my pressing question—I wanted to understand the role of women. God did not lead me through the desert and the valley without a plan. My journey didn’t end there, it had only just begun. I had a mountain to climb.

Women and Discipleship

The Word teaches that women are no less important, relevant, or powerful. God created mankind in His likeness. Elohim created them, man and woman, and blessed them. God commanded us to honor our father and our mother. Solomon taught to obey the teaching of our father and our mother. Paul teaches that both men and women, brothers and sisters, were his coworkers. While men dominate most of the biblical narrative, women are honored in Scripture. (Gen 1:26-27, Ex 20:12, Prv 1:8-9 )

Yeshua not only includes women in His ministry, He honors them with the same positions that tradition reserved for men. I approached God in search of evidence that women are equal; Our Helper explained that, instead, I needed to understand how God is equitable.

I approached God in search of evidence that women are equal; Our Helper explained that, instead, I needed to see how God is equitable.

With an open heart I mounted a path rambling up the side of the mountain. It became steep fast. I could have easily tripped on the rocks scattered about, but I chose my steps carefully. The climb began to take everything I had. I did not look back, instead, I looked up the mountain for the help I needed. I finally reached a ledge leveled enough to pitch camp. The disciple, Tabitha, met me there. (Psalm 121:1-3)

Overlooking the entire valley, the wind blew softly around a group of women sitting by a fire. Some were talking to another, some were singing together, others were just enjoying the view. In the background, a waterfall rolled down the rocks into a small basin bordered with ferns. It was beautiful. Tabitha asked for their collective attention and introduced me to them. Then, Tabitha introduced them to me. (Psalm 104:4)

The Apostle

Tabitha taught me that a gazelle’s heart shrinks so it can survive long periods without water in the hot desert landscape. Reducing the size of the organs that consume the most oxygen allows the gazelle to survive drought. As disciples, God adjusts our hearts by removing things that consume the parts of us that should be devoted to God. A transformed heart is at the core of discipleship.

"This is Mary," Tabitha said. "She heard that the Anointed One performed miracles along the shores of Galilee, so she went to hear His teaching. Yeshua freed her from multiple demons. From that day, she followed Him. Mary sat at her Rabbi's feet attentively, He resurrected her brother Lazarus from death, and she anointed Yeshua with holy oil before His own death. Mary was family, she sat at the foot of the cross with Yeshua's mother and aunt. She witnessed her friend and teacher tortured and crucified. After his death, she visited his tomb to anoint him one last time."

Mary was the first person Yeshua revealed himself to when he arose. Then He sent her to announce to the other apostles that the Messiah lived. Every time Mary heard God's voice, she sprung into action. She allowed the Lord to transform her heart and devoted herself to following Him. Women like Mary are uniquely gifted at seeking the Kingdom, understanding the bigger picture, and awakening people to His resurrection power.

The Prophet

I learned from Tabitha that gazelles jump and leap when they get excited. They do this to alert the herd that a predator is nearby. Predators don’t usually go after a whole pack—they single out the young or weak ones. As disciples, God calls us to stay alert. His Joy excites us, and protects us from an adversary who is determined to steal it, isolate us, and make us more vulnerable. Staying joyfully alert is essential to discipleship. (Eph 6:18,1 Pet 5:8-9)

"This is Anna, the prophetess" Tabitha said. "Anna worshiped day and night, fasting and praying. Anna stayed alert and expectant for the coming Messiah. She met Yeshua when he was just a baby and his parents brought him to the temple to present him to the Lord, according to the Law of Moses. Anna was so overjoyed about meeting our Redeemer that she jumped at the opportunity to tell everyone looking for redemption. (Luke 2:36-38)

Over by the waterfall, that's Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, and Philip’s four daughters. They have all helped usher in the Joy of the Lord by revealing God's heart. Women like them are uniquely gifted to receive visions from from the Lord and share with God's family what they see." (Ex 15:20, Jdg 4:4, 2 Kgs 22:14, Acts 21:9)

"I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. (Acts 2:17-18)

The Evangelist

I learned that gazelles are one of the fastest land animals on the planet. While the Cheetah is faster, it cannot run at its top speed for long. A gazelle, however, has both speed and endurance. As disciples, we all grow in the Lord at our own pace. But the story of a disciple who has endured becomes a powerful testimony. Sharing with others how God has transformed our lives is a large part of discipleship.

"This is the Samaritan woman," Tabitha said. "Jews wouldn't usually travel through Samaria, between Judea and Galilee, but Yeshua stopped at a well and asked this woman for water. It was taboo to speak to a woman in public. And, she was not just any woman. As a Samaritan, she lived as an outcast in Jewish thought. As a woman living in sin, she lived as an outcast in her own community. But Yeshua spoke to her anyway. She was the first person that Yeshua revealed himself to as Messiah!" Tabitha shouted.

"After He told her who He was, she ran quickly back to her town to tell people what she had seen and heard. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Yeshua because of her testimony. She introduced who He was, and because of His own words many more became believers. Women like her are uniquely gifted at enduring the challenges of life, sharing the Good News, and inviting all people into the family of God." (John 4:1-42)

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, (Luke 4:18)

The Pastor

I learned that gazelles travel in herds and are highly social. To keep their young safe, they gather them together in tall grass to protect their most vulnerable from predators. As disciples, it is essential that we fellowship with other believers and pursue some form of mentorship from someone more seasoned in their Faith. Fellowship with believers is necessary in order for there to be any discipleship.

"This is Lydia," Tabitha said. "Lydia lived in Philippi when she met the Apostle Paul on his second missionary trip. Philippi was the leading city of Macedonia, on the European continent. She worked in textiles colored with a purple dye for which the region was famous. Her wealth allowed her to live independently in a spacious house. When Paul saw her, she was with a group of devout women who gathered to pray by the river just outside of the city." Tabitha explained.

"As a newly baptized Christian, Lydia extended the invitation to Paul, Silas, and other disciples to come and stay at her home. Lydia’s home became the place where the Church of Philippi gathered for worship and fellowship. I believe she may have been the first convert in Europe!" She exclaimed. "Women like her are uniquely gifted in hospitality, fostering an environment where people are integrated into the family of God, and guiding people through healing and growth. (Acts 16:13-15, 16:40)

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46-47)

The Teacher

Tabitha taught me that the name 'gazelle' comes from the Arabic word "gazal," the term for love poems. As disciples, it is imperative that we teach God's Word as a love story. God loved us so much that he gave His only son so we would not perish. God shows us a divine unity full of mysteries rooted in Love. We are the Bride of Christ, and the Gospel is a love story between Yeshua and believers. The love of God and our love for each other is at the root of discipleship.

“This is Priscilla,” Tabitha said. “Priscilla and her husband Aquila were great friends and co-laborers of the Apostle Paul, who they met in Corinth. They bonded over their shared trade in tentmaking and Paul lived in their home and worked with them. Paul spoke very highly of them, especially how the couple risked their lives for him. (Rom 16:3-4)

Priscilla was a co-founder of the church in Corinth that gathered in their home. Like Lydia, she extended hospitality and welcomed disciples for worship, study, and fellowship. She was exceptionally knowledgeable in the Jewish scriptures, and learned a lot from Paul's teaching," Tabitha shared. (1 Corinthians 16:19)

"Priscilla and her husband met and ministered to a man named Apollos in Ephesus. He was an educated man who spoke boldly about God. Apollos knew the teachings of the Old Testament, but God used Priscilla and Aquilla to expound the things of Christ more accurately. Women like Priscilla are anointed to break confusion and misinformation. They are uniquely gifted at showing people the fullness of God's love by helping them understand Scripture and how it applies to their own life." (Acts 18:18-28)

Conclusion

Peter, turned toward a dead woman, and said, “Tabitha, Rise Up!”

While I might have initially dismissed the relevance of her name, God always intended there to be a connection. Tabitha's story is one of many examples that remind us that names are significant and meaningful to God.

When we trust our Father, search the Word, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us—we will find that even a gazelle can teach us about discipleship:

1. Have a transformed heart—God wants us to hear His voice and allow Him to adjust our hearts.

2. Stay joyfully alert—God wants us to see with spiritual eyes, rejoice in Him, and stay alert to attacks from the adversary.

3. Run with endurance—God wants us to tell others what we have endured and how we invited God into our heart.

4. Stick close to the herd—God wants us to gather together, grow together, protect, and celebrate one another.

5. Teach the love story—God wants the Gospel of Christ to be taught as a love story.

With the wind whirling around us, stirring up the fire, I learned so much from these women. Tabitha called us all together to share one last Truth: "You are the Body of Christ. Each of you is a part of it, and God urges us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. (1 Cor 12:27; Eph 4:1)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph 4:11-13)

Standing on that ledge of the mountain I was at the threshold of the Kingdom. I looked out and thanked my Father in Heaven for guiding me out of that desert. I thanked Yeshua for leading me through that valley. And I thanked the Holy Spirit for helping me rise up this mountain.

Each season served a purpose so that I could walk more closely with God and have a deeper understanding of His Word. We all face seasons of stretching and growth—so that we are equipped for unity and maturity in the Body of Christ.

I turned around to honor those women behind me, the women who received power through the Holy Spirit and took their places in the Kingdom. The same resurrection power that called Tabitha to rise from death is calling the Tabithas of this generation to Rise Up!