Proverbs 31 as a professional woman - Part 27
Dear loyal readers, I trust you’re blessed and highly favoured.
“I’m a qualified lawyer, but I’m utterly unqualified when it comes to the things of God.”
This was my opening paragraph when I wrote my first article titled 'A New Season', which was published on 31 January 2024 under this column. I bravely shared parts of myself in that article, parts that are somewhat taboo to talk about publicly (please read the article for further context).
In the article titled 'Seeing God’s Glory Through My Tears', I shared even more about my struggles in connecting with God because I realised that for so long, I pursued Him transactionally as I was more concerned about what I could get from Him as opposed to building a relationship with Him. In that article I shared that:
“I realised that for years I prayed TO Him but I didn’t have a personal relationship WITH Him.
Where did I go wrong?
I embarrassingly didn’t love God with my all (contrary to Mark 12:30), but I loved what He did for me.”
Someone reading this is probably wondering why God’s thunder didn’t strike me for sharing such thoughts publicly.
I was brave enough to share my struggles with God publicly, because these are the unexpressed, yet shameful thoughts and experiences that so many others are/were going through and they don’t know whether God would want to hear them or not.
In writing about it, I’m living proof that His thunder doesn’t strike us when we seek Him with our whole heart (Jeremiah 29:12-14).
I have learned that Elohim created us with complex feelings and emotions because He wants to reveal Himself as the “Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) as well. Meaning that you can only seek compassion and comfort from someone whom you trust with your heart and your vulnerability.
Why am I saying this?
Because so many people have struggled to connect with God from a place of vulnerability, more so in the professional space where we are required to be “strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:9).
I have nothing against the Joshua 1:9 strength and courage, but sometimes it becomes overwhelming when you constantly operate in resilience and strength – even in your relationship with God.
The professional space rarely creates a safe space for vulnerability and we so often think that we have to put on our bravest face in front of God as well. But I have come to learn that He wants us to come to Him as children who are vulnerable enough to seek His love, compassion and comfort as well and not just to relate to Him from a place of strength and power.
Why does this matter in the professional space?
Because our vulnerability in front of God, allows us to extend each other more love, grace and empathy. These are qualities that are often overlooked in the professional space (as many are conditioned to prove their hard skills over their soft skills).
This is where the transformational articles on Proverbs 31 as a professional woman under the theme 'Embodying and Manifesting Godly Wisdom, Success Principles and Effortless Femininity in the Workplace', seek to recalibrate the spirit, soul and body as well as the private and professional life of the professional woman.
Is it easy for her?
I invite and encourage you to read the articles, starting with the introduction as well as parts 1 to 26 on Proverbs 31 as a professional woman to see how God equips and empowers her as she navigates the unique demands, challenges and opportunities that come her way.
In the article titled 'A New Season' I closed off with the following words: “So, in this new season, I have been healed and transformed by God and I’m now moving with a bold understanding of ‘knowing whose I am, knowing who I am and not being afraid of who I am and what I carry’.
I might not be qualified in the things of God, but God chooses who He uses and I’m certainly made for a time such as this.”
Allow God to use you, even when you feel afraid or unqualified – He Himself qualifies you (Romans 8:30). He has a tendency of showing off with the ones you would least expect (1 Corinthians 1:27, Proverbs 3:5-7).
Remain blessed and encouraged by God’s love. More grace to you all until I write again in the new year.
Shalom.
DISCLAIMER: 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' under the theme 'Embodying and Manifesting Godly Wisdom, Success Principles and Effortless Femininity in the Workplace' is not posited on trying to read the professional woman into Proverbs 31 because this will produce an absurd result. However, I have opted to take a principles-based approach, which widens the scope to be applicable to any professional woman – regardless of her age or status.
*This column has previous articles titled 'A New Season', 'Seeing God’s Glory Through My Tears' as well as 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' – the introduction as well as parts 1 to 26 – all published by Namibian Sun.
I welcome your comments, inputs, queries or concerns. Kindly address them to [email protected]
“I’m a qualified lawyer, but I’m utterly unqualified when it comes to the things of God.”
This was my opening paragraph when I wrote my first article titled 'A New Season', which was published on 31 January 2024 under this column. I bravely shared parts of myself in that article, parts that are somewhat taboo to talk about publicly (please read the article for further context).
In the article titled 'Seeing God’s Glory Through My Tears', I shared even more about my struggles in connecting with God because I realised that for so long, I pursued Him transactionally as I was more concerned about what I could get from Him as opposed to building a relationship with Him. In that article I shared that:
“I realised that for years I prayed TO Him but I didn’t have a personal relationship WITH Him.
Where did I go wrong?
I embarrassingly didn’t love God with my all (contrary to Mark 12:30), but I loved what He did for me.”
Someone reading this is probably wondering why God’s thunder didn’t strike me for sharing such thoughts publicly.
I was brave enough to share my struggles with God publicly, because these are the unexpressed, yet shameful thoughts and experiences that so many others are/were going through and they don’t know whether God would want to hear them or not.
In writing about it, I’m living proof that His thunder doesn’t strike us when we seek Him with our whole heart (Jeremiah 29:12-14).
I have learned that Elohim created us with complex feelings and emotions because He wants to reveal Himself as the “Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) as well. Meaning that you can only seek compassion and comfort from someone whom you trust with your heart and your vulnerability.
Why am I saying this?
Because so many people have struggled to connect with God from a place of vulnerability, more so in the professional space where we are required to be “strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:9).
I have nothing against the Joshua 1:9 strength and courage, but sometimes it becomes overwhelming when you constantly operate in resilience and strength – even in your relationship with God.
The professional space rarely creates a safe space for vulnerability and we so often think that we have to put on our bravest face in front of God as well. But I have come to learn that He wants us to come to Him as children who are vulnerable enough to seek His love, compassion and comfort as well and not just to relate to Him from a place of strength and power.
Why does this matter in the professional space?
Because our vulnerability in front of God, allows us to extend each other more love, grace and empathy. These are qualities that are often overlooked in the professional space (as many are conditioned to prove their hard skills over their soft skills).
This is where the transformational articles on Proverbs 31 as a professional woman under the theme 'Embodying and Manifesting Godly Wisdom, Success Principles and Effortless Femininity in the Workplace', seek to recalibrate the spirit, soul and body as well as the private and professional life of the professional woman.
Is it easy for her?
I invite and encourage you to read the articles, starting with the introduction as well as parts 1 to 26 on Proverbs 31 as a professional woman to see how God equips and empowers her as she navigates the unique demands, challenges and opportunities that come her way.
In the article titled 'A New Season' I closed off with the following words: “So, in this new season, I have been healed and transformed by God and I’m now moving with a bold understanding of ‘knowing whose I am, knowing who I am and not being afraid of who I am and what I carry’.
I might not be qualified in the things of God, but God chooses who He uses and I’m certainly made for a time such as this.”
Allow God to use you, even when you feel afraid or unqualified – He Himself qualifies you (Romans 8:30). He has a tendency of showing off with the ones you would least expect (1 Corinthians 1:27, Proverbs 3:5-7).
Remain blessed and encouraged by God’s love. More grace to you all until I write again in the new year.
Shalom.
DISCLAIMER: 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' under the theme 'Embodying and Manifesting Godly Wisdom, Success Principles and Effortless Femininity in the Workplace' is not posited on trying to read the professional woman into Proverbs 31 because this will produce an absurd result. However, I have opted to take a principles-based approach, which widens the scope to be applicable to any professional woman – regardless of her age or status.
*This column has previous articles titled 'A New Season', 'Seeing God’s Glory Through My Tears' as well as 'Proverbs 31 as a Professional Woman' – the introduction as well as parts 1 to 26 – all published by Namibian Sun.
I welcome your comments, inputs, queries or concerns. Kindly address them to [email protected]
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