The Young Proverbs 31 Woman

If I can't say yes to waking up on time every morning
to go on my daily run,
to read the Word,
to pray,
to take a shower,
to make breakfast for myself,
and to get to work on time with energy for the day while I'm still single...

why should I expect God to think I'm ready for
waking up after a restless night of sleep taking care of a crying child,
reading the Word and praying while somehow managing to keep an eye on a baby,
keeping my body accountable with regular exercise despite utter fatigue,
cooking and cleaning breakfast for my entire family,
giving my baby a bath as well as a shower for myself,
and still getting to work on time with energy for the day?

For the first time in a long time, I revisited this famous passage. But for a passage describing a "wife of noble character," I was surprised to see how little the passage discussed marriage and how much the passage focused on the woman's faithfulness with her small, menial duties.

^"13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.'"


This woman is skilled, profitable, well-rounded, but I think most importantly, diligent. It's her responsibility and excellence in the basic - making quality products at work, handling her money and investments with prudence, preparing food for her family and maidservants, speaking wisely in conversations around her - that makes her a blessing to her husband and children. Nothing big or fancy. Just your very basic, everyday tasks. Skilled and mastered as a form of worship unto God. Which made me realize...

The Proverbs 31 woman isn't a model wife; she's a model woman.

And that's a journey that I can start as soon as now.

Unreasonable

Noah's faith to build the ark was unreasonable.

Joseph forgiving his brothers was unreasonable.

Ruth staying with Naomi was unreasonable.

David's faith in battling the Philistine was unreasonable.

Daniel's fast was unreasonable.

The woman at the temple offering her single coin was unreasonable.

The good Samaritan's benevolence was unreasonable.

The shepherd seeking the one sheep was unreasonable.

The woman with the alabaster jar was unreasonable.

Christ's sacrifice was unreasonable.

Unreasonable could be, at times, very beautiful.

Lesson in Faith: Pursue God, Not Merely a Godly Life

The Bible is not a self help book. And God is not a life coach.

Lord, as a Christian, I get driven by my desire to pursue holiness.

Unfortunately, sometimes more than I want to pursue You.

But as the title that I bear implies, let me be more of a "Christ-ian."

A pursuer of Christ.

A lover of Christ.

A studier of Christ.

Forbid me from turning wayward like a Pharisee, who is only concerned with what men count as righteousness.

Instead, let me love you, honor you, and enjoy you like Mary did. Prevent me from a life of obliviousness, half-hearted works, and skewed worship like Martha.

I approach Your Word as a book about You.

It is not a book about me.

The Rich and the Famous

It's been 8 days at work. People here are rich, powerful, and beautiful.

Half of the people in my office make 6-figure salaries.

The men drive nice luxury cars.

The women have their looks (or the money to get themselves there).

But they do not realize that they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. (Revelations 3:17)

There was one manager who came in wasted from last night's party. But from watching his somber, limp, and tired walk into his office this morning, my eyes were opened to the deeper waste in his heart.

God, please direct and guide my heart for your people here at work. May I have a heart that breaks for those who are so rich but are so poor, those who are so well-clothed but are so naked, and those who are so content but so wretched.

What You Do vs. Why You Do

It's important to know what to do, but it's even more important to know why you do it.

Born and raised in the Church, I've been spoon-fed instructions on how Christians are to live: tithing ten percent, dating only within the Church, abstaining from illicit materials, waiting for sex until marriage... But the satisfaction in doing each of these things only well up in my heart when the motive is joy and not obligation.

I've been experiencing more happiness as adulthood settles in and I become more responsible for decisions that I make in my life. With my own income, I know what a blessing it is to be able give to God's Church; with freedom in my relationships, I'm learning what joy God is planning for me in my future marriage; with my overall independence, I'm appreciating the many opportunities I have to serve God in whatever I do (1 Cor. 10:31).

Living a life of faith really feels so free. (Rom. 8:2)

I've never felt so free in my life.