SEARCHLIGHT
What steps are you taking to become an exceptional woman?
SCRIPTURE
A wife of noble character who can find? Proverbs 31:10a NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Who could have imagined that Catherine, who suffered as a child with spinal curvature, would marry and raise 8 children while at the same time working side by side with her husband to develop the worldwide ministry of the Salvation Army. Her name is Catherine Booth, wife of William Booth. What an inspiring life she led. In addition, she was a leader in writing about women not being inferior to men. Both her husband and she believed in women’s equality.
Long before her life became an inspiration to the world, Catherine had committed herself to become an exceptional woman. If you are a woman, the question is “Will you?”
Proverbs 31 is a Bible chapter every woman should often read. It describes what an exceptional woman is. Here is what we learn from today’s Scripture focus. An exceptional woman:
- chooses a God-centered life over a self-centered life-The Proverbs 31 woman has a noble character. [31:10a] The reason is because she “fears the Lord.” [31:30c] Her life is based on the reverential “fear of the Lord.”[ 1:7] This phrase is mentioned 12 times in Proverbs. Are you choosing to reverentially fear God with your life? Do you fully honor Him?
- is uncommon and scarce- Proverbs 31:10b says “…who can find?” Is your lifestyle reflective of women in today’s society or distinctly reflective of Jesus Christ?
- cannot be valued by diamonds or dollars- Proverbs 10:31c says, “She is worth more than rubies.” What makes people say, “I do not know anyone like her. How could we get along without her?” What steps can you take to become more valuable?
- is greatly admired by her husband-Proverbs 31:11,12 says “Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing in value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” How do you enrich your husband’s life? Why does he completely trust you?
- wisely shops and quickly utilizes what she buys-Proverbs 31:13 says, “She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.” Do you make wise purchases and apply your skills to make them go a long way?
- provides healthy and nourishing food-Proverbs 31:14 says, “She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.” Are you full of creativity when you cook?
- sacrifices herself when necessary and generously shares her cooking-Proverbs 31:15 says, “She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.” Do you willingly prepare food and carefully organize your day?
- wisely handles her finances-Proverbs 31:16 says, “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.” From a stewardship perspective, are you wisely running the “family business?”
- is highly industrious and hard working-Proverbs 31:17 says, “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” What motivates you to anticipate each new day? What do you do to keep yourself healthy and physically fit?
- works at profitable things because she is well prepared-Proverbs 31:18 says, “She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.” Do you prioritize your daily activities? Are you prepared for both short-term and long-term events?
- develops the ability to do more than one thing at a time-Proverbs 31:19 says, “In her hand, she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.” Are you learning how to handle many tasks and demands at one time? Will you become a multi-tasker?
- both cares and shares for the poor and needy-Proverbs 31:20 says, “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” Do you care for the less privileged by what you say and what you do? Do your actions speak as loud as your words?
Today is your day to BECOME AN EXCEPTIONAL WOMAN! External beauty does not define a woman. Internal beauty makes an exceptional woman. Will you begin your life journey to developing beauty on the inside as God has intended? Will you become a Godly woman? Will you take the 12-step challenge mentioned above? The decision is yours. God is looking to develop exceptional women. Will you step up to His invitation? Begin your journey now! Enjoy your journey forever!
SOMETHING TO DO
Take some time to prayerfully and carefully answer the 12 questions in the SPOTLIGHT section. You need to write down steps you should take in order to develop the 12 exceptional qualities mentioned. For example, regarding “#1 chooses a God-centered life over a self-centered life”, you could write, “I will have a 15-minute devotional every day with God by reading my Bible and praying.”
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Lord God, I am choosing this day to become the exceptional woman You have intended me to become. Forgive me for waiting so long to make this decision. I choose You, Lord God to be my first priority. From this moment on I am asking You to develop in me the 12 qualities that marked the Proverbs 31women. Form me and fit me into the woman You want me to be. Thank You, Lord. AMEN!