Selfless love. Thankful to God. Humble service. Sharing your faith. These are all aspects of godly character. This blog series examines what Scripture tells us about four godly women—and shares encouragement for Christian mothers today. While the encouragement found in these blog posts is aimed specifically at mothers, there are applicable truths for all Christians as well.
[This blog post is the third in a four-part series. You can read the first here.]
In the course of a conversation, a young woman’s whole world was turned upside down. The life she had imagined—her plans, hopes, and dreams—changed in an instant.
Whispers and rumors would probably follow her wherever she went—especially when the lies sounded more believable than the truth. Relationships with friends, family, and even her betrothed might never be as they once were. Life itself would never be the same.
The young woman certainly wouldn’t appear to be highly favored but lowly and in disgrace. And yet how did she respond to the amazing news she had been given? “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38).
Talk about a staggering amount of faith, humility, and willingness to serve! Your will be done, Lord. Think about the incredible, undeserved honor Mary was given by God to be the mother of the promised Messiah. Mary’s son, Jesus, was the one whom her people (and the whole world, including creation itself) had been waiting for ever since humankind’s fall in the Garden of Eden.
From her very first interaction with the angel Gabriel, Mary knew that her son—that beautiful, innocent baby boy she would cradle in her arms in a Bethlehem stable—was chosen by God to save his people from their sins. He’d save Mary too. That was the very reason for which he was born.
But how would he save his people? Mary was reminded of that too—many times throughout her son’s earthly life and ministry. And she was being prepared to face the grief of that day as well. “And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35).
But before all of that, Mary got to be Jesus’ mother. Think about that for a moment. She cared for and held the very One who brought the universe into existence—the One who was together with the Father and the Holy Spirit from all eternity. I can’t even imagine. Mary raised Jesus, training him up in the fear and instruction of the Lord. How right she was when she sang, “From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name” (Luke 1:48-49).
In the course of a conversation, her whole world was turned upside down. The life she had imagined—her plans, hopes, and dreams—changed in an instant. And yet we call Mary blessed. And she was. Blessed by God’s undeserved grace and favor. Blessed to be the mother of God and serve him in that unique way. Blessed to be saved by Jesus, just like you and me.
Dear Christian mother, what’s the encouragement here?
You are blessed by God. You are blessed to be your child’s mother, and I hope you know how blessed your child is to be yours! Ever since you first became a mother, your life has undoubtedly changed from what it once was. Maybe you were expecting that to happen, and maybe you weren’t. Either way, life changed and became something else entirely. My prayer is that you continue to embrace your vocation as a Christian mother, filled with an attitude of humble service to God and a heart overflowing with Christ’s love.
Looking for further encouragement, Mom? Mary: Providential Earthly Mother of God is a Bible study book that examines Mary’s life and her relationship to our Savior from what Scripture tells us. Follow Mary through her struggles as a mother, explore Jesus’ identity as both God and man, and learn what imitating Mary’s humility and obedience mean.
Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House. He has his Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation.