Purposeful Pursuit

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:10-31 describes the ideal woman and it culminates in verse 30, quoted above. This woman was amazing in so many ways, but at the end it doesn't say, "a diligent woman is to be praised" or "the faithful homemaker is to be praised". Although those things were invaluable, the summary shows us that the "Proverbs 31 woman" had her eyes focused on God.

Ariel, Sarah & I are studying this passage and writing this blog because it is our desire to make every area of our lives revolve around Christ alone, and we want to encourage and challenge one another along the way. Ariel writes from a married woman's perspective, and Sarah from a single woman's perspective. Let me tell you a little of who I am and how God has been challenging my heart in this area.

My name is Kristi, and I am 20 years old. Recently, I had the privilege of beginning a dating relationship. It is exciting and wonderful and challenging. Furthermore, it has made me examine my heart and evaluate my focus. Where will I seek satisfaction? Whom will I seek to please? My initial answer is "Christ, of course!" but then I look at my life and and must honestly ask myself: how does my life, my actions, my thoughts answer that question?

In his commentary on the virtuous woman, Matthew Henry writes, "This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly beloved and respected, useful and honourable."

So, here we are, studying and praying and writing as the three of us together seek to learn what it means to keep Christ first by being a woman of virtue. Being this way doesn't come naturally for anyone. It must come by purposefully, passionately pursuing knowing Christ and living as a woman who will honor Him.

The title of this blog, "At the Center of the Storm" is appropriate. Storms have a way of revealing what we cling to, trust in, and most value. They can also be distracting. Marriage, dating, singleness - they are different storms with different distractions. Whatever, the storm, however, there is only One to whom we can cling with absolute certainty and hope..."looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." (Hebrews 12:2-3)