Inspired by prophetic words through which several brothers and sisters in Christ declared me THEE "Proverbs 31 Woman," I have decided to begin a summer-long project, and life-long journey of discovering, embracing, and celebrating my identity in Christ; using my gifts to serve Him as He transforms my heart and mind, fulfilling His promise to complete the good work He began in me (Philippians 1:6)!
In order for you to understand what this project IS, you must also understand what this project is NOT. This project IS NOT about ME and what I can do. It is about GOD and what HE can do. It IS NOT about MY work in the lives of other people. It is about God's work...not only in the lives of other people...not only THROUGH me...but also, IN me. See, while the implementation of this project in it's most physical sense may cause observers to think that the ultimate mission is to "use my gifts to serve others," the REAL goal, the REAL aim, the REAL project is MY HEART and the act of GOD upon it: HIM transforming me into a more wise, discerning, diligent, devoted, compassionate, loving, beautiful woman of God...a true Proverbs 31 woman.
With that said, I will now attempt to explain what I feel called to do this summer...what I feel is the "medium" so to speak that God will use to teach me these Proverbs 31 virtues. The project will consist largely of acts of service...using my gifts to meet the needs of other people. I have MANY obscure, yet useful gifts. Now, in the past, I have used my gifts in many ways...and most, if not all, were "for the greater good!"...and yet, it was always so safe and comfortable...I always had control...there was never any sacrifice involved. This needs to change. As I ask God to shape me into the Proverbs 31 woman this summer, I realize that this involves stepping outside of my comfort zone into a place were service is not conditional...I don't get to pick and choose who to serve, where to serve, how to serve...if God brings a person into my life, or brings me to a specific place, and has equipped me with the ability to provide for the need he has shown me, than I have no choice but to fill it...even if it is dirty, uncomfortable, boring, time-consuming, or the hardest struggle I've ever gone through! I ask for this. I ask for this with both excitement and terrified-ness (for lack of a real word), knowing that God will answer this request!
In addition to using my gifts to unconditionally serve others, I also intend to imitate the Proverbs 31 woman by physically living out some of the things that the scripture says she does, such as planting a garden, for example! I don't know exactly how this works yet, but I strongly feel that there is so much to be learned mentally, emotionally, and spiritually by living out something physically first! So, plant a garden, I will! And who knows, maybe I'll even make a few of my own clothes!
And finally, and most importantly, as Proverbs 31 so clearly states in it's conclusion, all these acts are worthless without the FEAR OF THE LORD! So, I will be spending lots of time "in the Word" and in prayer...in hopes of growing in my relationship with God, and receiving revelation on what it means to truly FEAR Him. And ya'll can hold me accountable to that!...In fact, I insist...I beg you to! Taking time out of "my" crazy schedule to spend more time with God is not one of my strengths, so please ask me how it's going, encourage me to continue in it, and pray for me...pray like crazy!
Pray that I might:
-Be bombarded with opportunities to serve, and be empowered with the courage and willingness to follow through on those opportunities!
-Know what it means to live out the life of the Proverbs 31 woman in both a physical and spiritual sense!
-Be filled with the desire to know God more intimately and an understanding of what it means to fear and serve Him!
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