Proverbs 31 as a professional woman - Part 24
Dear loyal readers, I trust you’re blessed and highly favoured.
In part 22, we were introduced to success principle eight, which says that Proverbs 31 as a professional woman “doesn’t do it all on her own”.
We also received an awareness of her human limitations as we continued the discussion in greater detail in part 23. I invite you to read those two articles for fresh revelations on the essence of teamwork, which started in creation (see parts 5 and 22) and continued in Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry (see parts 13 and 22). Parts 13 and 23 also share specific lessons to be learned from the book of Nehemiah on how to trust God in a difficult team dynamic and how one’s appreciation of the communication differences in a team can also help team members extend each other more grace and empathy.
In essence, Proverbs 31 as a professional woman is submitted and surrendered to the will of God (in every area of her life) and she relies on the wisdom of God to show her what to do, when to do it and with whom to do it.
What inspires this mindset?
Amongst other things, Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) reminds her that she’s “God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
So, she’s encouraged by Proverbs 16:1, Proverbs 16:3 and Proverbs 16:9, which is a reminder that her plans need to align with God’s will for them to succeed.
With this awareness, she understands that whatever she needs to do, she needs to partner up with God first and then ask Him for His trusted people to help her execute His vision, plan or goal for her life, as well as to use her to fulfil His plans in the lives of others as well. This is not a one-time offer – it’s a lifelong experience. It’s not limited to one area of her life only; in fact, she maintains a posture of surrender to God’s will in every area of her life because she knows that He is in the big things, the little things and everything in between. She knows that she doesn’t pray to God in the morning and leave Him at home while she goes to work. She lives a life of continuing fellowship and sets her heart on glorifying God in every aspect (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Is it easy to live for the glory of God?
No, it isn’t. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it feels like you’re being crushed in ways you cannot explain. It hurts even more on the days when it doesn’t make sense to forsake everything, take up your cross and follow Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:24-26 and Luke 9:23).
But is it worth it?
For me, it has been a tremendous experience because whatever I thought I lost, I gained so much from it. Whatever I have let go of, I gained so much more room for Him in my life. It takes dying to yourself to live for Jesus Christ. The parts in you that die are actually the parts that are in conflict with Him, in conflict with God’s: Word, will, plans, purposes and promises for your life.
Partnering up with God takes away everything you exalted above Him.
Has this partnership been worth it?
Yes.
There’s nothing from my past that I miss and I’m glad that I’m no longer who I was.
Five years ago I didn’t have this awareness and today I appreciate how He pruned and moulded me.
As a result of this continuing fellowship and partnership with God, I now walk with a bold understanding of knowing whose I am, knowing who I am and not being afraid of who I am and what I carry.
Shalom.
DISCLAIMER: 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' under the theme 'Embodying and Manifesting Godly Wisdom, Success Principles and Effortless Femininity in the Workplace' is not posited on trying to read the professional woman into Proverbs 31 because this will produce an absurd result. However, I have opted to take a principles-based approach, which widens the scope to be applicable to any professional woman – regardless of her age or status.
*This column has previous articles titled 'A New Season', 'Seeing God’s Glory Through My Tears' as well as 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' (the introduction as well as parts 1 to 23) – all published by Namibian Sun newspaper.
I welcome your comments, inputs, queries or concerns. Kindly address them to [email protected]
In part 22, we were introduced to success principle eight, which says that Proverbs 31 as a professional woman “doesn’t do it all on her own”.
We also received an awareness of her human limitations as we continued the discussion in greater detail in part 23. I invite you to read those two articles for fresh revelations on the essence of teamwork, which started in creation (see parts 5 and 22) and continued in Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry (see parts 13 and 22). Parts 13 and 23 also share specific lessons to be learned from the book of Nehemiah on how to trust God in a difficult team dynamic and how one’s appreciation of the communication differences in a team can also help team members extend each other more grace and empathy.
In essence, Proverbs 31 as a professional woman is submitted and surrendered to the will of God (in every area of her life) and she relies on the wisdom of God to show her what to do, when to do it and with whom to do it.
What inspires this mindset?
Amongst other things, Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) reminds her that she’s “God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
So, she’s encouraged by Proverbs 16:1, Proverbs 16:3 and Proverbs 16:9, which is a reminder that her plans need to align with God’s will for them to succeed.
With this awareness, she understands that whatever she needs to do, she needs to partner up with God first and then ask Him for His trusted people to help her execute His vision, plan or goal for her life, as well as to use her to fulfil His plans in the lives of others as well. This is not a one-time offer – it’s a lifelong experience. It’s not limited to one area of her life only; in fact, she maintains a posture of surrender to God’s will in every area of her life because she knows that He is in the big things, the little things and everything in between. She knows that she doesn’t pray to God in the morning and leave Him at home while she goes to work. She lives a life of continuing fellowship and sets her heart on glorifying God in every aspect (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Is it easy to live for the glory of God?
No, it isn’t. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it feels like you’re being crushed in ways you cannot explain. It hurts even more on the days when it doesn’t make sense to forsake everything, take up your cross and follow Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:24-26 and Luke 9:23).
But is it worth it?
For me, it has been a tremendous experience because whatever I thought I lost, I gained so much from it. Whatever I have let go of, I gained so much more room for Him in my life. It takes dying to yourself to live for Jesus Christ. The parts in you that die are actually the parts that are in conflict with Him, in conflict with God’s: Word, will, plans, purposes and promises for your life.
Partnering up with God takes away everything you exalted above Him.
Has this partnership been worth it?
Yes.
There’s nothing from my past that I miss and I’m glad that I’m no longer who I was.
Five years ago I didn’t have this awareness and today I appreciate how He pruned and moulded me.
As a result of this continuing fellowship and partnership with God, I now walk with a bold understanding of knowing whose I am, knowing who I am and not being afraid of who I am and what I carry.
Shalom.
DISCLAIMER: 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' under the theme 'Embodying and Manifesting Godly Wisdom, Success Principles and Effortless Femininity in the Workplace' is not posited on trying to read the professional woman into Proverbs 31 because this will produce an absurd result. However, I have opted to take a principles-based approach, which widens the scope to be applicable to any professional woman – regardless of her age or status.
*This column has previous articles titled 'A New Season', 'Seeing God’s Glory Through My Tears' as well as 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' (the introduction as well as parts 1 to 23) – all published by Namibian Sun newspaper.
I welcome your comments, inputs, queries or concerns. Kindly address them to [email protected]
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