A couple of years ago I released a Bible study based on the book of Ruth that takes a deep dive into being a virtuous woman. As I was recently studying about being virtuous again for some speaking engagements, I was reminded that a virtuous woman is a difference maker.
Ruth 3:11 Now don't worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman.
Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
The Hebrew word used here means “strength, efficiency, a force.” This woman was a woman of strength in all areas—mentally, physically, morally, and spiritually. There was so much more to her than her looks and success.
I love that one of the definitions of this Hebrew word is “force.” She was a woman of force. She was not forceful, but there was simply something about her that drew attention and made others want to know her. She was a difference maker.
There was just something in her that people do not often see in other women. She made a statement. People could not help but notice her and strive to be like her because she was making an impact. (In Her Shoes: Walking in Virtue)
Just as Ruth and the Proverbs 31 Woman were difference makers, you can be one too. It all starts with embracing who you are and the purpose God has for you. So, who are you? What is God’s purpose for you? Well, I'm glad you asked.
Who You Are
1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
You are a child of God, a daughter. In the gospel of John, we are told that everyone who believes in the name of Jesus and receives him as Savior are rightfully children of God (John 1:12). Jesus was the great love lavished on us because He came and lived a perfect life to die for our sins. His sacrificial death and resurrection bridges the gap that separates you from God and makes you His child when you accept Christ as savior of your life. But you aren’t just a child of God…
1 Timothy 6:15 …God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Psalm 45:10-11 Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house. The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.
God is the King of kings. Which makes you a DAUGHTER OF THE KING. As a child of God, a daughter of the King has complete access to Him through the Holy Spirit. He speaks to you through His Word. He guides you by the Holy Spirit so that you know the truth every day that you are His. And that is what matters more than anything in this world.
Standing in the truth that you are both a child of God and a daughter of the King prepares you to face anything in this world and you can begin to own God’s purpose for you.
God’s Purpose for You
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which he prepared in advance for us to do.”
There are three elements in the verse vital to owning our purpose.
WORKMANSHIP
You are God’s custom creation. You are unique and there is no one else like you. You are His workmanship. He has called you by name and you have a relationship with Him. You may not see the beauty He sees right now but ask Him to show you. He has created you the way you are...your thinking, personality, gifts, and talents because He has a certain way He wants to use them.
GOOD WORKS
We are God’s workmanship created to do good works, which are actions that honor God and point others to Him. The actions we take are goodworks,not perfect or impressive. Actions that put us in the background and God at the forefront. No action is too small so be courageous and put your gifts, talents and abilities to work in a way that honors God. And when you wonder if you can do it or not then look to the last element of this verse.
PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO
God has already created you and equipped you with all you need to do good works for Him. Just believe in Him and trust how He has created you with unique talents, abilities and gifts. And if you question if he can make you ready just look at David.
1 Samuel 17:34-37 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.
God knew what David would face in his life and made sure he was equipped for it and ready for the work God needed him to do when the time came. David just believed in the abilities God had given Him and trusted Him. If David can face a lion, a bear and a giant Philistine then you can face whatever you encounter knowing that God will use you because He has prepared you for the difference you are going to make.
