Proverbs 31:10(NLT) says, “A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.” We might be tempted to overlook this jewel because so much has changed in modern times, but then again, so much has remained the same. It should never be lost on us that men are just as concerned about finding a good quality woman as women are about partnering with a good and Godly man. According to Proverbs 31:10, a good woman is hard to find but once a man does find her, she’s going to be the blessing that God promises in His Word. The spectacular thing is that this woman is you! You’re the promise that God has made to the man that is worthy of a woman with Godly standards.
We’ve spent a good deal of time in our conversations with others in our respective workplaces and everyday life talking about the state of being single. It is so far from how things used to be back in the day that it’s mind boggling. To think that technology would change things to such a degree that for a huge amount of people, the initial stage of dating now begins online. The upside is that with these modern changes, we’re understanding much more about the importance of preparing for marriage mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We’re more strategic about positioning ourselves for what we want.
Many single people have adopted this dating strategy of sitting in front of their computers, joining a dating website, taking the time to complete questionnaires, and trying to be thoughtful and transparent about the answers they are being asked to provide. When it comes to allowing God to point us in the direction of His divine destiny for our lives, we must not do less. Even more thoughtfulness and transparency is required.
If our aim is to be a woman with standards, and to be the blessing that God promises in Proverbs 31:10, we must understand that the Lord is the orchestrator of our preparation process. It’s His good pleasure to help you partner, because your future union is part of His plan. One of the ways that God helps us is to reveal the areas where our standards might need some tweaking.
So before we embark upon anything else, priority one of our strategy for crossing paths with the person that is to be our marital partner must be to keep an eye out for what God is revealing to us. We’re not perfect, but God’s plan is that we love completely through the perfect love of Christ. This is the love that binds the unity of our relationships, and there may be areas in your life where you need greater revelation and understanding in order to love completely.
The mark of a standard-bearer is one who learns from her mistakes and grows in God’s love. 1 Corinthians 13:1 (ESV) tells us, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” This verse is referring to the love of God in Christ. It must be anchored in our hearts, because if it isn’t, there’s no glue to hold a union in place. 1John 4:8 tells us that anyone that does not love with the unconditional, overwhelmingly good, patient, and everlasting love of God in Christ does not know God, because God is love. Surrender your dating strategy to His guidance. Let Him tell you what you’re missing, then let Him prepare you to receive the promise by teaching you to love according to His standard. ■
English Standard Version (ESV), The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“A Woman with Standards”, written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2018. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.