What Kind of Woman

Virtuous or Strong?

                                                                        

It’s a new year, it’s time again to turn over a new leaf or clean the slate and start again, right?  Yes, in a new year “old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” Many times we’ll assess our lives as we look back at the past year and recognize where a renovation or improvement is needed so that we can continue to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”.  At times, as Godly, Christian woman we examine our lives, and hearts, and wonder if we’ll ever embody the Proverbs 31 woman. How many times have you read that incredible passage of scripture and wondered if the year brought any kind of sparkling from my life through the Son. Have I been a Virtuous woman or a strong woman? Could I have been both at once?   I continue to aim at being a “crown to my husband” Oh how my soul pants after God with yet another year before me and I yearn to be like her, whose inward beauty and strength is evident by the incredible presentation of her life.

 

How could she be so whole in her faith? How in the world is she able to manage all her affairs?   “She riseth also while it is night and giveth meat to her household and a portion to her maidens” Every person in her life is accounted for and blessed and in the end be the Jewel of her loved ones.

 

Can you imagine the incredible relief and encouragement I came to as I read and studied the Proverbs 31 Jewel and discovered that the average Christian woman carries her genes? I have always imagined that a real, whole hearted, Christian woman should be one who doesn’t show any signs of flaws and failures, Of course every average Christian woman such as myself who has failed time and again in different areas will immediately know she can never be that beautiful woman. Although I have seen plenty of regular women around me practice her ways, I hesitated to crown these godly women as virtuous simply because they looked somewhat like myself, with bad hair days and emotionally saturated meltdowns that uncover us completely. But now, I know that that which I once thought was unattainable; Gods highly acclaimed Proverbs 31 woman is truly within my reach. Her description is put in Gods Holy Word as an example of Gods perfect plan. This time around she will inspire me to put off my worries, her ways will challenge me to follow suit in my own household and eventually be conformed into her way. His word challenges me to be more than just a strong woman; it compels me to be a virtuous woman.

So, what sets this beautiful and virtuous woman apart and how can I be like her? Well, from the outward perspective, she is a strong, efficient and smart.  She is well dressed and has a good head for business. This woman can maintain a good home and a satisfied family. Finally, she has a husband who, “is well known, one of the leading citizens” who is counting and resting on her incredible qualities. Right now you could probably name off some pretty powerful and beautiful women from all over the world and throughout history, right? However, there is only one kind of woman who is called a virtuous woman. This woman is the one who derives her strength directly from Jesus.  The bible speaks of a different kind of virtue, whose strength is pure, holy and righteous and that can only be attained by enduring faith in Christ.  “Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears; but a woman who honours the Lord should be praised.” This is the trait that sets her apart; her love of God.  Not only is she capable of doing well in her home, in business, in relationships and in her personal care she will radiate Gods love and grace on all those areas. “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all”

As this virtuous woman puts on the “full armor of God” and is able to withstand in the evil day, she glistens in her labor like a sapphire star exhibiting its six points. “She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”  Yes, this woman is busy about her days work; making sure all is well around her. Yet more important is that she is diligent even in her down time to “Do all this in prayer, asking for Gods help. Pray on every occasion as the Spirit leads; and never give up; pray always for all God’s people”  It is only through the birth of our Savior and his sacrifice on the cross, whose presence always reminds us that, “there is no condemnation” for those whose self- appraisal is Christ centered that a woman can be this whole and virtuous.

 

Thus, as I walk through this new year I will prayerfully assess all my tasks and the areas God  continues to transform in me and  recognize that in and of myself, I cannot be that beautiful. To be a virtuous woman, I must first accept Jesus, who is God’s gift to mankind and our only hope of salvation. Only then can I wear the garments of His righteousness and His virtue and be clothed in “silk and purple.” Otherwise I will be like any other strong woman of the world without the radiance of God’s love and strength. I choose to receive the instruction of King Lemuel’s mother for myself and be that prized gem of a woman and shimmer like a sapphire!