Princess or Warrior

Growing up in the church as a girl I always heard about how I can be a Proverbs 31 woman. For those of you who do not know what I am talking about, it is a famous part of the bible that talks about the wife of noble character. I really do love this verse and I do think that women of all ages can strive for the characteristics of being a strong Christian woman, but I always think about the fact that I am not married.

I am less than a week from my 22nd birthday and I have never been on a date. I am not saying this for sympathy or for encouragement, it is simply a fact. Seeing so many of my best friends and people I know getting married makes me so joyful for them, but also makes me wonder why not me. Going to a Christian college we had a motto, "ring by spring". For those of you outside the bubble this means that most girls feel pressure to graduate with an engagement ring and a diploma (in that order). Going through college I thought that was what I wanted more than anything, to be engaged so I can truly fulfill the call of being a Proverbs 31 woman (I know not my greatest mindset).

Now some of you are wondering if I chose to "Kiss Dating Goodbye" but the truth is, I just didn't have the opportunity. I am in no way against going on a date or even getting married young, but I am saying for me I do not feel ready to be married right now, although I do have the wedding part planned (thanks Pinterest). This last year I feel like God has been calling me to something different than just to be a typical "Proverbs 31 woman"

I honestly wasn't planning on writing this blog tonight, I had other less vulnerable ideas that I tried to make work. But I guess I just really want girls to know that God doesn't just tell us we are his beautiful princess (even though he does say that a lot, thankfully) but we are also a warrior. God has been challenging me to think of myself as more than just his beautiful princess because I am not weak and in need of rescuing by a dashing prince. I am a warrior that gets to fight for my father the king of kings. For me this word warrior came to mind around the same semester I felt God had called me to law school. So as I dove into his word I found the following verse.

Proverbs 31:8-9
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."

As I read this verse I gained a whole new perspective on what it means to live out the chapter of Proverbs 31. These two verses are right before the verses about the noble wife. God has called me to stand up for the poor and needy and seek justice. For me to do this I need to put down my crown and get a little dirty. God has commissioned us as women to not only accept our right as daughters and princesses but also as warriors for God. We get to be on the front lines fighting against injustice. We can be in relationships or single and the awesome thing is that God can still use us. I am not saying I will never be married, but I am saying that God has given me a unique opportunity to peruse him in my singleness. I don't want to focus on where or when I will meet the "right guy" I want to be a Proverbs 31 woman who is speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves and defend the rights of the poor and needy.