Lesson 9 - A Field of Dreams / Triple Action "Although this chapter is about dreams and visions (and active imaginations!), we can learn much from the three concrete actions which God’s beautiful woman takes in Proverbs 31:16 as she works to make those dreams come true. The same three steps can help you and me make our own dreams become reality. Step #1: Consideration—Imagine the following scene. Our beautiful woman of Proverbs 31 rises early one morning, feeds her family, sees her husband off to work, sets her servants into action, and, like that merchant ship, sails out the door on her rounds of daily shopping. While she’s conducting business in the town market, she hears about a local field that’s just come up for sale. Heart racing, she discreetly asks a few questions and gathers some preliminary information about the property. Why the racing heart? Because she has a dream—a vision born out of love—that will better her dear family. She’s always been on the lookout for a chance to make that dream happen, and this field definitely looks like a golden opportunity to increase her husband’s wealth and status and thereby improve her family situation. But how does she respond to news that the property is for sale? Does she impulsively rush to the landowner and buy the field? Does she reach into her tunic, whip out her clay credit card, and blurt “Charge it”? No. “She considers a field,” the Bible tells us (Proverbs 31:16). Donning her businesswoman hat, she carefully looks at the field to determine whether or not it would be a wise investment. In her heart, she wants a field, but choosing instead to let her mind take control (like a good soldier), she sets out to learn all she can about the piece of land. • The value of the property—Collecting information about said property, she considers its worth. Not relying only on hearsay or even on expert opinions, she examines the land for herself. • The state of the finances—Evaluating the family finances, she considers whether there is adequate money to purchase and improve the property without endangering the family’s welfare. • The inventory of time—She considers her time commitments to her family to determine whether she has the time which the ownership of the field would require. • The review of priorities—Her family is her primary area of ministry and responsibility, so she wisely considers whether working on the field will threaten those priorities. The Proverbs 31 woman realizes that she has much to learn, ponder, and pray about before she makes any kind of real estate investment. Finally, after due consideration and consultation with the Lord, I believe she brings the matter to her husband. Armed with a businesswoman’s facts and statistics, she shares her vision. Laying out her report, she points to the many reasons why this property is desirable and exactly how it will benefit her husband and the family. Now why would this very capable woman go to her husband? I can think of several reasons—all of which are entwined in her great strength of character. As a woman of virtue she doesn’t act independently from her husband, her God-ordained head (Genesis 3:16). As a woman of strength she doesn’t act impulsively (Proverbs 19:2). As a woman of wisdom she doesn’t act without advice (Proverbs 12:15). And, as a wife, she doesn’t want what her husband doesn’t want (Proverbs 19:14). God’s beautiful woman lives her life to please God, and a part of pleasing God includes pleasing her husband (Genesis 2:18). She is a team player, wanting what her husband wants and helping him move in the direction he’s chosen for his family. Together they are a solid unit, so they move forward . . . together! They build their life . . . together! They make their dreams come true, hers of increased financial strength for her family (verse 16) and his of service in his community (verse 23) . . . together! Blessed with his approval (how could he not approve, what with her track record, her business head, her work ethic), she takes the next step toward owning her field of dreams."
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 17:33:16 +0000