Overcoming The Challenges Of Working WomenShembull

## Following Christ Through It All The Bible calls all people to pattern their lives on the values of an "ideal" woman we meet at the beginning of the book of Proverbs. She is called Lady Wisdom. She "cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice, at the busiest corner she cries out...'the complacency of fools destroys them; but those who listen to me will be secure and live at ease, without dread of disaster" (Proverbs 1:20-21, 32-33). Proverbs 9:10 tells us that to gain wisdom, there is a starting point we can't ignore. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is insight." The “fear of the Lord” in the Bible is never "fright." It means living in awe, not only of God's sovereignty, but also of his goodness and mercy. Knowing God helps us gain a perspective on life that changes our thoughts, actions, and goals. Our orientation to life changes. So how do we get to know God? Jesus came from God, taking on human flesh and blood, to reveal God to us. So if we want to know God, we can read the gospels (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and listen to Jesus carefully. From his teachings, we learn that God is infinitely patient with us. From his actions, we learn that God has a heart for people on the fringes of life. From his life, we learn that God loves us so much he was willing to die for us. Somehow as we see God's mercy and grace acted out before our eyes in these books, it changes us. We get glimpses of what really matters in life. We become wise. Lady Wisdom still cries out in the streets of our cities, calling us to follow the beat of a different drummer. That drummer is Jesus. If we make paying attention to Jesus a serious pursuit, it will change us completely. How can you pay attention to Jesus today? ### Prayer Lord, remind me that I follow a different drummer and that the most important thing in my life is following Jesus. Help me grow in wisdom, even through the challenges of my workplace. Amen. ### We hope this plan encouraged you. You can find more plans from the Theology of Work Project at [ www.theologyofwork.org/devotions ](http://www.theologyofwork.org/devotions)