Some of you may be familiar with the brutal pounce of a toddler interrupting your delicate dreams early Christmas morning. Initially, your collapsed lungs trigger signals to your brain of utter horror manifested in frustrated grunts of anger. Your eyes adjust to the light and there's a chubby grin and two bulging eyeballs staring you in the face. Your heart rate stabilizes, you smile back, and together you make your way down the hall to that pile of wrapped blessings under the tree.
I was inspired recently by a conversation and Bible study I had with a group of girls at school. I realized God has much more in mind for me than I have ever settled to become. It hit me in the spiritual sense a lot like my brother and sister did physically many Christmas mornings. Proverbs 31 is the illustration of a godly woman. It is the image of a just and righteous woman. In the original text, "justice" and "righteousness" could be used interchangeably. Therefore, one cannot be righteous without being just. So what does it mean to be a just woman? A godly woman is concerned for the wellbeing of the poor, orphaned, and widowed. Simply stated, she works for justice in the world. Proverbs 31 indicates that this work begins in the home with her family. And what exactly is a righteous woman? Essentially a godly woman is continually examining her right-ness with God.
So why in this passage does King Lemuel's mother advise him to search for a woman such as this? A godly man searches for a godly woman who can come alongside him to compliment his position of leadership. She must therefore share his purpose and vision so that their service to the Lord compliments one another for the glory of God.
Our society promotes values of individuality and independence. Such ideals present some dilemmas for some of us. The advice runs from one extreme to the other in Christian circles, confusing the poor little hairs off girls’ heads. One advises: “You must marry young in today’s society!” Another exclaims: “Find yourself first or you’ll never be happy!” And so we ask, “how do Biblical values compare?” I am blessed to be encouraged to hope. Hope, my single friends, is in fact a godly characteristic. And yet, to do something well it helps if we understand what it is that we are doing. And so, hope must be defined in the context of singlehood, since that's where I am. For instance, it is not godly to love the Lord on the condition that He eventually bless me with a husband and family. As I hope, for anything, I must ask, “If my dreams are never fulfilled, will I still love and trust you Lord?” Likewise, it is not godly to declare singleness more righteous than marriage. The struggle through singlehood can produce a dangerous and misguided pride as independence and individualism develops.
The truth is God is sovereign. He is fully capable of using singleness or a relationship to bring Him glory and He must ultimately be our satisfaction whether we are married or single. I hope for a husband and a family someday, especially as I share in the joy of watching close friends and family start that journey. Yet I rejoice in how the Lord transforms my heart as I find satisfaction in bringing Him glory in every aspect of my life right now. Singlehood has struggles. Marriage has struggles. Having children presents struggles. In anything, God is to be praised, glorified, and trusted.
His great plans and awesome standards for my life do not discourage me from attempting to serve Him. I no longer shrink back into the shadow of a mountain of standards which appear too overwhelming to even attempt to conquer. Ephesians illustrates who we are in Christ and the promise of the Holy Spirit which equips us to live. He will fulfill His purpose for me because when I claim Him, His name is at stake and He must get the glory. I embrace this promise and I embrace the inspiration to become much more than I have ever settled to even dream God envisions me to be: a righteous and just woman as I rely on the Holy Spirit to transform me as I grow in Christ.
So why in this passage does King Lemuel's mother advise him to search for a woman such as this? A godly man searches for a godly woman who can come alongside him to compliment his position of leadership. She must therefore share his purpose and vision so that their service to the Lord compliments one another for the glory of God.
Our society promotes values of individuality and independence. Such ideals present some dilemmas for some of us. The advice runs from one extreme to the other in Christian circles, confusing the poor little hairs off girls’ heads. One advises: “You must marry young in today’s society!” Another exclaims: “Find yourself first or you’ll never be happy!” And so we ask, “how do Biblical values compare?” I am blessed to be encouraged to hope. Hope, my single friends, is in fact a godly characteristic. And yet, to do something well it helps if we understand what it is that we are doing. And so, hope must be defined in the context of singlehood, since that's where I am. For instance, it is not godly to love the Lord on the condition that He eventually bless me with a husband and family. As I hope, for anything, I must ask, “If my dreams are never fulfilled, will I still love and trust you Lord?” Likewise, it is not godly to declare singleness more righteous than marriage. The struggle through singlehood can produce a dangerous and misguided pride as independence and individualism develops.
The truth is God is sovereign. He is fully capable of using singleness or a relationship to bring Him glory and He must ultimately be our satisfaction whether we are married or single. I hope for a husband and a family someday, especially as I share in the joy of watching close friends and family start that journey. Yet I rejoice in how the Lord transforms my heart as I find satisfaction in bringing Him glory in every aspect of my life right now. Singlehood has struggles. Marriage has struggles. Having children presents struggles. In anything, God is to be praised, glorified, and trusted.
His great plans and awesome standards for my life do not discourage me from attempting to serve Him. I no longer shrink back into the shadow of a mountain of standards which appear too overwhelming to even attempt to conquer. Ephesians illustrates who we are in Christ and the promise of the Holy Spirit which equips us to live. He will fulfill His purpose for me because when I claim Him, His name is at stake and He must get the glory. I embrace this promise and I embrace the inspiration to become much more than I have ever settled to even dream God envisions me to be: a righteous and just woman as I rely on the Holy Spirit to transform me as I grow in Christ.
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