Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Character

I've been watching Andy Stanley's recent sermon series at North Point Community Church called "The New Rules for Love, Sex, & Dating".  Obviously it's geared toward people who aren't married, but it's actually really applicable across the board.  Good stuff.  REALLY good stuff.

He poses an incredibly thought provoking question.  I think if we're really honest about answering it, we just might find that we will need to do a little work personally.

"Are you who the person you are looking for is looking for?"

Read it again...
"Are YOU who the person you are looking for is looking for?"

We tend to have a list of qualities that we're looking for.  We have a picture of what we'd like in a significant other.  But the question is, are you being intentional about becoming the type of person that possesses those similar qualities?  Are you becoming the type of person that is attractive to the type of person you are looking for?  Determine the story you want to tell and work on making it true NOW.

I personally want to be a Proverbs 31 kind of wife someday.  Actually, marriage or not, I flat out want to be this kind of woman, and I want my life to make God happy.  The point is that either way, it all starts with laying a foundation of honorable character in the here and now...
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
   She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
   and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
   all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
   and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
   bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
   she provides food for her family
   and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
   and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
   and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
   and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

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