A WOMAN’S WORTH
Have you taken a moment lately to assess your real value to
yourself, and to others? One of the greatest tragedies in life to
befall any of us is the tendency to underestimate ourselves, i.e. the gifts and
greatness that have been divinely deposited within. Both men and
women alike are prone to fall into the trap of not ascribing sufficient value
to themselves. But for today, we will focus on those women in our society who fall prey
to what I call, “devaluation syndrome.” As
a result of not accurately appraising their own character, accomplishments and
merits, they could be victimized by men who seek to take advantage and to
further their own selfish ends. Women, exactly how much are you
worth? Consider this.
In a brief
conversation, a man asked a woman that he was pursuing the following
question: “What kind of man are you looking for?”
She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asking, “Do you really want to know?”
Reluctantly, he said, “Yes.” So she began to expound on the matter.
“As a contemporary woman, I am able to ask a man ‘What can you do for me that I cannot do for myself?’
I pay my own bills. I take care of my household without the help of any man...or woman for that matter.
So I am in position to ask, “What will you bring to the table?”
The man looked at her. Clearly he thought that she was referring to financial matters.
She anticipated and quickly corrected his thought: “I am not referring to money. I need something more.”
“I need a man who is striving for excellence in every aspect of life.”
He sat back in his chair, folded his arms, and asked her to explain.
Without pausing, she said, “I need someone who is striving for excellence mentally because I need fulfilling conversation and mental stimulation. I don’t want or need a simple-minded man.
I need someone who is striving for excellence spiritually because I don’t need to be unequally yoked. Any believer blended with an unbeliever is a definite recipe for disaster.
I need a man who is striving for excellence financially because I don’t need a financial burden.
I need someone who is sensitive enough to understand what I go through as a woman, but strong enough to keep me grounded.
I need someone who has integrity in dealing with relationships. Lies and game-playing are not my idea of a strong man.
I need a man who is family oriented – one who can be the leader, priest and provider to the lives entrusted to him by God.
I need someone whom I can respect. In order to be submissive, I must respect him because I cannot be submissive to a man who isn’t taking care of his business. I have no problem being submissive; he just has to be worthy.
And by the way, I am not looking for him. He will find me. He will recognize himself in me. He may not be able to explain the connection, but he will always be drawn to me. God made the woman to be a helpmate for the man. I cannot help a man if he cannot help himself.”
When she had completed her answer, she looked over at him. He sat there with a puzzled look on his face.
Finally he responded, “You are asking a lot.”
She replied, “I am worth a lot.” And she knew right away in her spirit that he was not the man God had dispatched to find her.
She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asking, “Do you really want to know?”
Reluctantly, he said, “Yes.” So she began to expound on the matter.
“As a contemporary woman, I am able to ask a man ‘What can you do for me that I cannot do for myself?’
I pay my own bills. I take care of my household without the help of any man...or woman for that matter.
So I am in position to ask, “What will you bring to the table?”
The man looked at her. Clearly he thought that she was referring to financial matters.
She anticipated and quickly corrected his thought: “I am not referring to money. I need something more.”
“I need a man who is striving for excellence in every aspect of life.”
He sat back in his chair, folded his arms, and asked her to explain.
Without pausing, she said, “I need someone who is striving for excellence mentally because I need fulfilling conversation and mental stimulation. I don’t want or need a simple-minded man.
I need someone who is striving for excellence spiritually because I don’t need to be unequally yoked. Any believer blended with an unbeliever is a definite recipe for disaster.
I need a man who is striving for excellence financially because I don’t need a financial burden.
I need someone who is sensitive enough to understand what I go through as a woman, but strong enough to keep me grounded.
I need someone who has integrity in dealing with relationships. Lies and game-playing are not my idea of a strong man.
I need a man who is family oriented – one who can be the leader, priest and provider to the lives entrusted to him by God.
I need someone whom I can respect. In order to be submissive, I must respect him because I cannot be submissive to a man who isn’t taking care of his business. I have no problem being submissive; he just has to be worthy.
And by the way, I am not looking for him. He will find me. He will recognize himself in me. He may not be able to explain the connection, but he will always be drawn to me. God made the woman to be a helpmate for the man. I cannot help a man if he cannot help himself.”
When she had completed her answer, she looked over at him. He sat there with a puzzled look on his face.
Finally he responded, “You are asking a lot.”
She replied, “I am worth a lot.” And she knew right away in her spirit that he was not the man God had dispatched to find her.
Women, you also have
a responsibility – to prepare and equip yourselves (in every way) to be ready, able
and willing to confidently and lovingly embrace the man God sends. So, what are you doing to prepare for your
divine appointment? Ruth, have you
identified your Naomi, i.e. the one who will assist you in becoming
sufficiently grounded in faith so you will recognize your Boaz when he
arrives? And Boaz, are you seeking
divine wisdom to gaze beyond exteriors and glimpse the very heart of the woman
of God’s choice? [Editor’s Note: Please
read the biblical book of Ruth]. Until
your KAIROS MOMENT arrives, position yourself prayerfully and wait expectantly.
No comments:
Post a Comment