09.18.09
Proverbs 31: A Productive and Purposeful Woman
Proverbs 31: 26-27 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Speaks With Wisdom: Have you ever regretted speaking with a friend and you said something you wished you hadn’t? I hate that feeling, knowing I didn’t pray or acknowledge God in the conversation. The fool opens his mouth and speaks. The wise exercises prudence and is thoughtful with each word. I am not suggesting when I see you, you are basically silent then all of the sudden you pipe out KJV language to me, to sound oh so spiritual! YIKES! However, what I do believe is- that if I am prayerful as I listen to someone, whatever comes out of my mouth is thoughtful, prudent, and profitable. Speaking wisdom is James 3, if you want further study on the tongue that is controlled and submissive to God and for HIS purposes, not our own. Do we really speak wisdom? To whom do you feel like you are more ready to speak wisdom with? Why? Do you care what they think more than possibly your child listening to you? What about your spouse, if you are married? Do you speak wise words that build them up, pursue their heart, pointing them to Jesus, giving gentle correction and encouragement? Let’s speak words of wisdom, giving words that love.
Teaches Kindness: When we communicate with others, what is our posture? If we are to open our mouths with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on our tongue the heart’s posture is: humble, teachable, ready to speak truth, ready to give encouragement, content to be silent, warm, and wants to walk with a suffering person. The teaching of kindness is not a formula, where you need to have ready in your back pocket a list of kind things that a christian does. The teaching of kindness is knowing God, scripture, the heart is repentant and has experienced the beauty of redemption. AND is ready to be patient and loving with others as they walk through their own transformation. It doesn’t have to be a christian conversation. It is any expression of your joy in Christ, an act of service, a kind word, a warm hug, a meal, a thoughtful prayer, whatever the spirit of God gives. The teaching of kindness IS from God. Behavior that reflects Christ is modeling kindness.
Stays Productive: She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. She tends to the tasks of her home, not eating the bread of idleness. No sluggards here! Where do you find you are tempted to know what your household needs are and you rebel and choose idleness in the form of distraction? Productivity isn’t just doing stuff. Doing stuff can be just a distraction! NO, the kind of productivity here is focused, active, and persevering. Working until it is done. Productive because of Jesus. Not to just check the item off the list. (talking to myself, here) Productive as an expression of worship. Productive because of stewardship. Productive to love your family. Productive as repentance. (doing things you aren’t fond of). Productive as thankfulness and pleasure. (enjoying the blessings of healthy bodies to do work, appliances to help you, furniture to dust, and precious hungry mouths to feed, etc).
For me-I need more allegiance to the holy spirit when I speak, that I would speak with wisdom, that my mouth would utter kindness and enthusiastically exhort in kindness. I need Jesus to enable my mind, body, and heart to be productive. I do work hard, but the work isn’t ever done. My aim isn’t to have a perfectly clean house anymore, it is to truly worship with work. For me, this means that I am growing in consciousness of Jesus while I do the mundane tasks of caring for my family and home. Asking him for help, depending on Christ in everything, especially in “looking to the ways of my household.”