I really don't like the Proverbs 31 woman. Since the first time I read those words, I've never liked her. She is a woman that seems to have reached near perfection, something that is light years away from me. When I read most of the words in Proverbs 31, it leaves me feeling disheartened rather than inspired. I feel angry not convicted. I feel hopeless not rejuvenated. In the 21 verses that describe this impeccable woman, I can only identify with two. Verses 11 and 23 seem to be only ones I posses or even want to;
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
Even those have more to do with my husband's mindset than my ability. I see this woman and I have no desire to be anything like her. Who wants to "get up while it's still dark" and have a "lamp that does not go out at night?" Not me! When I see Proverbs 31 I think of all the things I am not, rather than the things I aspire to be.
I consider myself more like the woman from John chapter 8. No, I'm not an adulterer, but I can identify with her sin, her scars, her dirt. Here is a woman who has been caught in the most heinous of sins. Then, for everyone to see, she is brought to the center of town and called out. Instead of persecuting her more, Jesus draws the attention from her to Himself. He takes her sin and makes Himself the center of attention. Then, in a moment completely true to His character, He commands that she be stoned only by those who have never sinned. Impossible!
The guilty is redeemed. The woman is seen in light of the Truth.
I am this woman. I am the one who feels as though her every sin has been brought forth to the center of the crowd. I am the woman who sees the innermost of my heart and feels as though it's on display for the world to ridicule. Then, when thrown at the feet of Christ, waiting for my judgment, He simply takes the sin and draws the attention to Himself. My sins are forgotten and I am made anew. I am pardoned and excused. I visualize Jesus reaching His mighty hands down, grabbing me under the armpits (much like you would pick up a small child), setting me on my feet again. He gently brushes off the dirt, then pats me on the back, sending me on my way. The shame is gone, the sin erased.
I don't like the Proverbs 31 woman, but I love the lady in John 8.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
Even those have more to do with my husband's mindset than my ability. I see this woman and I have no desire to be anything like her. Who wants to "get up while it's still dark" and have a "lamp that does not go out at night?" Not me! When I see Proverbs 31 I think of all the things I am not, rather than the things I aspire to be.
I consider myself more like the woman from John chapter 8. No, I'm not an adulterer, but I can identify with her sin, her scars, her dirt. Here is a woman who has been caught in the most heinous of sins. Then, for everyone to see, she is brought to the center of town and called out. Instead of persecuting her more, Jesus draws the attention from her to Himself. He takes her sin and makes Himself the center of attention. Then, in a moment completely true to His character, He commands that she be stoned only by those who have never sinned. Impossible!
The guilty is redeemed. The woman is seen in light of the Truth.
I am this woman. I am the one who feels as though her every sin has been brought forth to the center of the crowd. I am the woman who sees the innermost of my heart and feels as though it's on display for the world to ridicule. Then, when thrown at the feet of Christ, waiting for my judgment, He simply takes the sin and draws the attention to Himself. My sins are forgotten and I am made anew. I am pardoned and excused. I visualize Jesus reaching His mighty hands down, grabbing me under the armpits (much like you would pick up a small child), setting me on my feet again. He gently brushes off the dirt, then pats me on the back, sending me on my way. The shame is gone, the sin erased.
I don't like the Proverbs 31 woman, but I love the lady in John 8.