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An excellent woman. One who is spiritual, capable, intelligent and virtuous. Who is he who can find her? Her value is more precious than jewels, and her worth is far above rubies or pearls. Proverbs 31:10
Capable. Intelligent. Virtuous. Other translations describe the Proverbs 31 woman as truly good. Strong character. Excellent. Superior in all that she is, and all that she does.
Unlike American culture that treasures outward beauty and sexuality. It is inner beauty that is precious to Papa.
Men and women who are…
Strong— mentally and emotionally.
Wise and can think for themselves.
Capable of making decisions and managing their affairs.
Honorable, ethical and moral.
These individuals are beautiful in Papa’s eyes. They are more precious than jewels, far above rubies or pearls.
They are a rare find!
Rubies and pearls were highly valued in the ancient world. Only a small, elite group of people possessed them.
Counting the number of times ruby and pearl appear in the bible. It is as rare as the gems themselves. Ruby appears only three times and pearls eleven times.
In the time of Christ, pearls were the most precious stone in the world. Julius Caesar reportedly paid the equivalent of one million dollars for a single pearl!
So valued by the Romans that the Latin word for pearl means unique. Given this honor because it is the only gem formed within a living organism, and no two pearls are identical.
What does all this have to do with being an individual after Papa’s own heart?
It can only be accomplished by being formed within a living organism— Jesus Christ.
He alone can…
Transform you. Making you unique— a shining star in a world of faux images and people pleasers.
Endow you with Papa’s wisdom and truth. Helping you to fulfill you Kingdom destiny.
Shower His grace upon you. Making your soul impenetrable to satan’s fiery darts of destruction.
Strengthen you on your journey to becoming the image of Christ. Instilling in you a hope that is inextinguishable.
So why are there not more Proverbs 31 individuals? Women and men who lavishly love both Christ and their family?
Could it be too few are willing to dedicate their lives to Christ first, family and profession second?
OR
Are there too many who refuse being second to Christ when it comes to love?
Christ forewarns us.
“If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters. Yes, and even his own life in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God. He cannot be My disciple.
Whoever does not carry his own cross. Expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come and follow after Me. Believing in Me. Conforming to My example in living and if need be. Suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me. Cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26-27
Christ is not heartless but loving and compassionate. Knowing that by loving Him above all others. Our hearts are enlarged, and our capacity to love others amplified.
Love that strengthens His disciples’ hearts. Disciples who understand that with God on our side like this. How can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing Himself to the worst by sending His own Son. Is there anything else He wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us?
Who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger?
The One who died for us. Who was raised to life for us! Is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.
Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble. Not hard times. Not hatred. Not hunger. Not homelessness. Not bullying threats. Not backstabbing. Not even the worst sins listed in Scripture.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us.
I’m absolutely convinced that nothing. Nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable— absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. Romans 8:38-39
Let us honor all who carry their crosses for Christ. Loving Him above all others. Boldly shouting for all to hear.
“For You shaped me inside and out. You knitted me together in my mother’s womb long before I took my first breath.
I will offer You my grateful heart for I am Your unique creation. Filled with wonder and awe.
You have approached even the smallest details with excellence. Your works are wonderful. I carry this knowledge deep within my soul.
You see all things. Nothing about me was hidden from You as I took shape in secret. Carefully crafted in the heart of the earth before I was born from its womb.
You see all things. You saw me growing. Changing in my mother’s womb. Every detail of my life was already written in Your book. You established the length of my life before I ever tasted the sweetness of it.
Your thoughts and plans are treasures to me, O God! I cherish each and every one of them! How grand in scope! How many in number!
If I could count each one of them, they would be more than all the grains of sand on earth. Their number is inconceivable!” Psalm 139:13-18
Yes, godly individuals are rare. Not to be ignored, abused or taken for granted.
You too can become worthy of both Papa’s and the world’s admiration. A precious and rare gem amongst gaudy costume jewelry.
Glorifying Papa by being a man or woman after His heart.
Fearing or owing nothing to anyone because you are Papa’s.
GO DEEPER
What are 3 of your unique character traits?
What character trait would you like to add to this list?
(Excerpt from The Gold Standard)
letsloveothers 