On International Women’s Day, I have been thinking about a woman who demonstrated extraordinary courage and true grit. Yet we often picture her only as a meek and mild young woman.
When we see depictions of Mary, the mother of Jesus, we often see a humble, kind, and loving woman—and sometimes a grieving mother. What we rarely see is her grit: the remarkable courage and unwavering strength behind her yes to God. The mention of her conjures up a romanticized scene—a gentle young woman holding the infant Jesus, surrounded by peaceful animals in a quiet stable.
But when we read Scripture and understand even a little of the historical context, we cannot ignore the grit this young woman must have possessed to reach that beautiful moment we celebrate at Christmas.
For Mary to say yes to God took courage. Walking out that yes for the rest of her life took true grit.
“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:38 ESV
Mary Knew
Merriam-Webster defines grit as “firmness of mind or spirit: unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger.”
From the moment she said yes, Mary had to live out that definition. She had to hold firmly to God’s promise with unyielding faith while facing public scrutiny, possible rejection, and doubt from those who knew and loved her best.
The idea of the Messiah coming through the womb of an unmarried young woman from an ordinary family would have been difficult for people to believe.
Mary knew she could face:
- Whispers behind her back
- Judgmental looks in the marketplace
- Questions she could not fully answer
- Rejection from her family and community
Perhaps most painful of all, her obedience could have cost her Joseph, the man she was pledged to marry.
Yet through every trial and uncertainty—and even through the sword of grief that would pierce her heart years later—Mary held to the same declaration:
“I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be to me according to His Word.”
Mary was a woman of the Word. God’s Word gave her the strength, stamina, and grit to walk through every hardship of her life.
God Knew
In Mary’s day, a woman’s standing in society was closely connected to marriage, family, and sexual purity. Becoming pregnant before her marriage to Joseph was complete exposed Mary to shame, suspicion, rejection, and public humiliation.
God knew everything Mary would face.
Yet He also knew something else: Mary would remain faithful to His Word.
The fact that God chose to enter the world through a woman is powerful.
He could have arrived in visible glory.
He could have descended in a cloud upon a palace throne.
But when God could have entered the world in any way He chose, He chose a woman.
A young woman.
A humble woman.
A faithful woman.
God entrusted Mary to carry His plan, bear His Son, and care for the greatest gift the world would ever receive.
There is no higher recommendation.
We Know
Today, we honor Mary because we see her story with two thousand years of hindsight. During her lifetime, however, the people around her did not have that perspective.
Mary had to hold firmly to God’s promise while enduring doubt, gossip, and suspicion—even from those closest to her.
Looking back, we see that God knew she would faithfully carry the calling He placed upon her.
She endured the whispers.
She raised the Messiah.
She remained near Him throughout His ministry.
And she stood near the cross when many others fled.
“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” John 19:25 NIV
Within the Gospel story is a powerful message about the value of women.
In a world that often tried to silence or diminish them, God spoke clearly through Mary’s life. He found her capable, trustworthy, and strong enough to carry His most precious gift.
He placed the Messiah—the Living Word—in her care to nourish, teach, love, and protect.
Within the Gospel is a liberating truth:
God values women of His Word.
Women of courage.
Women of strength.
Women of grit.
Prayer
Lord,
I ask for Your strength in my weakness. Give me confidence in the faith You have placed within me, even when others gossip, misunderstand me, or believe things about me that are not true. Thank You for giving me Your Word. When I turn to it, I find the courage, strength, and grit to continue walking the path You have set before me. Help me follow Mary’s example by trusting Your Word even when I cannot see how everything will work out. Give me the courage to say yes and the endurance to remain faithful. Lead me and guide me through this moment in time.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
