Being the Proverbs 31 Woman, Is that *really* the goal?

If you pick up most books that teach women how to be Godly wives, more often than not, you will find that in some form or fashion the comparison to the Provebrs 31 woman is thrown in there. I always admired the qualities and character description listed in that chapter but something that has really been rather interesting to me lately is, how many woman are making that description the guideline on how to be a good wife. There is nothing wrong with that, but the thing that troubles me is how that has become the model for a wife instead of the character and nature of Christ which has both present and eternal profit.

If we are pursuing Godliness, everything else will be fruitful. We aren't going to be perfect but we are pressing on, continually, to grow more into the image of Christ. Again, I am not speaking negatively of  using Proverbs 31 as a role model but it shouldn't be the only thing used as an example on how to be a godly wife, it should be Christ ultimately. Growing to mature more into the character of Christ, that is the real goal! That is the high calling!  Philippians 3:12-14. All the godly qualities found in Proverbs 31:10-31 are there as an example to describe a woman who feared the Lord. How such a woman's character and conduct would be. She was a godly woman and out of that flowed other good things. If anything, Proverbs 31 should be used as a motivator to encourage us to grow in Godly fear and to want to mature more spiritually, not technically to be disciples of that example...

"Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit."- Matthew 7:17-18

If the root is good, the fruit will be good. If a woman loves the Lord and her aim is to please him in all her ways, she will be a blessing to her husband and all other people she comes in contact with. If prior to marriage you have lived a life in faithfulness, loyalty and devotion to Christ, that is only going to carry over into your marriage. The way your relationship is with God is more or less how it will be with your husband. May we continue to press on toward the *real* goal!