A C4 Woman of Influence
“Who can find an excellent woman?
She is worth far more than rubies.”
Proverbs 31:10 (NIRV)
Ten years ago I wrote and taught a Bible study entitled Critical Choices. Each week we studied the lives of different women found throughout the Bible who made good critical life choices. Some of the women were familiar to most of us: Hannah, Ruth, Esther, Mary, and Lydia. Others such as the five women who chose life for Moses (Exodus1-2); Deborah who chose leadership (Judges 4-5); and the daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27) who chose boldness in prayer weren’t as familiar, but were well worth studying. One woman, however, stood out for her lifetime of good critical choices: the Proverbs 31 woman, a woman of excellence.
Our takeaway from Proverbs 31 was that a woman of excellence is a woman of influence. A woman of influence is one who consistently displays character, competence, conduct, and connection. When character (who I am) is combined with competence (skillful ability), conduct (what I do), and connection with people (relationships) then I will be, by God's grace, a woman of influence.
All four elements are essential for living a life of excellence and influence.
Competence - being good at doing what you do
Character - who you are when no one else is looking
Conduct – what you actually do
Connecting - cultivating and maintaining relationships
Last week our country witnessed a woman of excellence in action when the United States Senate Judiciary Committee held four grueling days of Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett. The American Bar Association issued a “Well Qualified” rating in support of Barrett’s nomination and testified to her competence as a jurist. Other judges and lawyers interviewed by the ABA Steering Committee on the Federal Judiciary attested to Barrett’s competence and character describing her as “An intellectual giant with people skills and engaging warmth” and a “Staggering academic mind” who is “decent, selfless, sincere.”
Her family and former law clerks bore witness to her character and conduct. (She) “has the rare gift of lifting everyone around her,” said Amanda Rauh-Biere, Barrett’s former law clerk. Laura Wolk, an Appellate Attorney and the first blind woman to clerk for a Supreme Court Justice, described Judge Barrett as “a constant source of strength, encouragement, and solace” and “one of the kindest individuals I have ever known.”
Critics and pundits alike were impressed with Judge Barrett’s confidence and calm demeanor with one news headline reading, “Grace Under Fire” and another declaring her “Unflappable.” When asked by Senator John Cornyn, R-TX to show the Committee her notes, Judge Barrett smiled, slightly shrugged her shoulders, and held up a blank notepad. “Impressive” was the word used multiple times by both Republican and Democratic senators at different points during her hearings.
When complimented on her well-behaved children, Judge Barrett connected with every Mama in the country when she responded with humility and humor. “I have eyes in the back of my head!” she quipped. And all of us knew she meant it!
Senator Diane Feinstein in a previous confirmation hearing famously told Amy Coney Barrett, “The dogma lives loudly in you and that’s a concern.” If by dogma, Senator Feinstein meant Barrett’s faith, then indeed it does, for true faith lives. The result of an authentic living faith is competence, character, conduct, and connection producing a life that brings service to others and glory to God.
Perhaps the sign that hangs in Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s chambers is the best summary of her life: “Judge like a Champion Today.” My guess is that Judge Barrett is exactly the kind of judge King Lemuel had in mind when he remembered and recorded the words taught to him by his own Mama: “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.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)
Few of us will be able to achieve the success and influence of Judge Barrett. Not all of us will support either Judge Barrett’s nomination or the process that landed her in the courtroom of public opinion. But most of us can-and should- appreciate character, competence, conduct, and connection when we see it. And all of us are responsible before God for cultivating character, competence, conduct, and connection in our own lives.
C4: Character + Competence + Conduct + Connection =Influence/Excellence
Amen and Amen,
Donna