The Proverbs 31 Man

There is something extremely satisfying about coming back to an old blog with something new to say. After my return back to America this blog was kinda left in a dark corner, unsure of where it was supposed to go. However, A light has finally been turned on and it now has its place. So, allow me to expend my heart, and talk about my latest discovery.

There's this moment in the gospels where Jesus is talking to the disciples, and he asks them who they think he is. When Peter answers, "You're the Messiah!" Jesus becomes elated and responds, "Only God the Father could have revealed this to you!" Sometimes in a church dominating culture, we get so used to the Facebook catch phrases that truth has become more of a meme, which holds no lasting memory on us. Think about the last time we heard someone say "God our Father" or "Heavenly Father". Did the utterance of that title smash you, and then remake you...or has it become something that you would scroll past without even thinking twice about "commenting".

However, then there are those times that something so simple seems to jump right off the page and then smack you in the face! It smashes you, and then remakes you! It takes on a whole new meaning, and you feel as if you're in a dizzying free-fall as you plummet to some unknown end...well...maybe not in that dramatic a fashion. But, you get the point. Today was one of those moments. 

The Proverbs 31 Woman is basically the "Future Wife" checklist of godly Christian single guys. And, being a single guy, I have often compared many women to this list. Is she strong, courageous, hard working, kind, wise, giving, etc. However, for the first time in my life, a new part of that chapter has jumped out to me. It was like emptying a bag, only to find that some of the most important objects have remained behind. For so long I had talked about and thought on the Proverbs 31 Woman...but what about the Proverbs 31 Man?

 "The heart of her husband trusts in her,

    and he will have no lack of gain." Proverbs 31:11 (ESV)

"Her husband is known in the gates

    when he sits among the elders of the land." Proverbs 31:23 (ESV)

"Her children rise up and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
'Many women have done excellently,
    but you surpass them all.'" Proverbs 31:28-29 (ESV)

Within three verses, we men are given four signs of what a Proverbs 31 Man is. 

1) He trusts his wife. 

2) He is a great provider of his household. 

3) He is well respected by authority in his community. 

4) He encourages her.

As this was uncovered for me, I then realized why there was even a mention of a Proverbs 31 Man. Part of what makes a woman, a Proverbs 31 Woman, is that she will only settle for a Proverbs 31 Man. Let's be honest, we attract who we are, and we surround ourselves with who we are. The checklist challenge now moves to a new beginning. Before we should ever evaluate the girl in front of us, we men need to first look at the checklist for us with this reflection: Am I a Proverbs 31 Man?