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Identity

How often do I think quietly to myself, "I can't do this!"  It is like something that creeps furtively, a feeling of dread and that the path in front of me is too dangerous, too frightening to even behold, never mind tread upon.  That fear can creep in to my heart and soul and can steal my joy in a heartbeat.  

And the truth is the path in front of me is frightening and dangerous.  Then my friend will breeze in with an email of scripture of a hug, or a call, or a greeting at the door of church and say "how are you my steadfast friend?"  

It is not an identity I would readily give to myself, steadfast.  But her word becomes a breath of life that the Spirit breathes in to me and I can say, "ah yes!"  And the voice that whispers to me and I cling to, though fine and barely there in all this fear, like a gossamer thread of a spiderweb says "you can do this because you do not do it alone."

And it is from Him who brought all in to being that I can rise up and find my identity, my strength to take the step, to keep going on this road.  He gives me the faith to follow, He gives me the hope for healing.   He beckons me from the darkness saying "follow me" and radiant light will show me the way.  I need Him for my identity, because alone is not the way we're meant to be.  I need God for my identity, because He created me to do this in partnership.  So I will cleave with steadfast steps, if I find my identity in Christ, because "All things are possible with God."  Mark 10:27

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

^10 [d] An excellent wife who can find?

    She is far more precious than jewels.

¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her,

    and he will have no lack of gain.

¹² She does him good, and not harm,

    all the days of her life.

¹³ She seeks wool and flax,

    and works with willing hands.

¹⁴ She is like the ships of the merchant;

    she brings her food from afar.

¹⁵ She rises while it is yet night

    and provides food for her household

    and portions for her maidens.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;

    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She dresses herself^[e] with strength

    and makes her arms strong.

¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

    Her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ She puts her hands to the distaff,

    and her hands hold the spindle.

²⁰ She opens her hand to the poor

    and reaches out her hands to the needy.

²¹ She is not afraid of snow for her household,

    for all her household are clothed in scarlet.^[f]

²² She makes bed coverings for herself;

    her clothing is fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is known in the gates

    when he sits among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them;

    she delivers sashes to the merchant.

²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing,

    and she laughs at the time to come.

²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom,

    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

²⁷ She looks well to the ways of her household

    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed;

    her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ “Many women have done excellently,

    but you surpass them all.”

³⁰ Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands,

   and let her works praise her in the gates.