Many women have read Proverbs 31 and feel that becoming like the woman described is something they cannot or do not want to become. They either believe that she works to hard and does it all which is something that they cannot achieve or that she is boring in the way that she spends her time working hard and caring for her home. It is easy to become sarcastic towards or intimidated by this amazing woman!
While reading through Set-Apart Femininity, I was struck by Leslie Ludy’s discovery of the power of the Proverbs 31 woman:
” ‘Who can find a virtuous woman?’ The word ‘virtuous’ here is actually a masculine noun that means ‘strength, valor, and power.’ In other words, the Proverbs 31 woman is a mighty, valiant woman full of strength and conquering power…She has superhuman strength. She has unmatched valor. She valiantly stomps out whatever stands in the way of God’s purposes. Nothing hinders her. Her life is a living display of triumph, victory, and the glory of God.”
By looking closely at the Proverbs 31 woman, we can see that she lives a life that is completely poured out to serving her God through her everyday life. She cares for her family and for her neighbors. A woman who seeks this kind of godliness has the capability to change the world!
I often read or hear people talk about how a woman who does so much and serves so much must be stressed out and tired. This woman could not be a realistic woman because she would be miserable and tired. With no time to care for herself she must be harried, haggard, and unattractive to her husband. But Ludy points out the opposite:
” ‘she makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine purple…Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.’ (Proverbs 31: 22, 25 NASB). That doesn’t sound to me like a stressed-out, overtired, overworked, exhausted woman.”
But the secret of living the life of this woman, to serving, and caring, and living like she does is to recognize where the strength to live this way comes from. This is not something that I can do on my own; I must constantly be plugged into the source of my strength: Jesus Christ.
“We are called to live superhuman lives – to live an existence that other women would never attempt. And we are not called to do this on our own strength – because it is impossible…Instead of just rolling our eyes at the high call of the set apart life, it’s time we recognize and embrace the supernatural power that Christ provides to equip us to live triumphant, victorious, valiant lives – lives that literally shock this world around us.”
This is the life to which I have been called. It is something I am definitely not perfect at, but I can rest in the knowledge that I do not attempt this alone. My God is constantly changing me and molding me into the Proverbs 31 woman.
This is the life of ultimate simplicity – living out God’s perfect plan for my life!
It is a high calling! What a high and noble calling it is!
