Mary of Bethany

Growing up as a woman in faith is very challenging because we are not always shown woman role models we can look up to and follow. Sometimes our religion fails to shine a light on the positive things different women have done throughout our religious history.

As a young woman I often looked to tabloid covers and Instagram influencers to identify with beautiful woman and to figure out what is important to have. Media outlets try to manipulate our way of living and proposes ways we should act and dress. As a young adult it is easy to look at a magazine and think that is the way I should be dressing or to pull up an Instagram influencers ad and think that is the way I should be acting/thinking. Unfortunately, the woman on the front of magazine and the main posts on Instagram are not always great role models to females. These women are not always acting in ways that exemplify

important Christians qualities or a real relationship with Christ. They are misrepresenting

the type of woman we all should strive to be. Media tries to give us quick and easy access to poor behavior, but as woman of faith it is important that we give young Christian women

access to individuals who acts in Christian ways.

Mary of Bethany is one of Jesus’s beloved children. She is a beautiful and strong woman in the Scripture and teaches us a lot of valuable lessons. Mary of Bethany is a young woman of faith who chose God. Unlike the women in tabloids who prioritized materialistic objects and societal functions, Mary of Bethany Chose God first.

In Luke 10.39 “She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.”

Mary of Bethany craved to be close to Our Lord and to grasp every piece of His information.

In Luke 10:42 - Mary had chosen God first over all other things,

“Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

This verse teaches the importance of being like Mary by loving God, understanding His word, and prioritizing God first in our lives. Mary was not distracted by earthly materials and instead chose to be near to Him, which will last for eternity. Mary of Bethany teaches us the importance of focusing on God, because when we do that our “greatest passion and our tendency to self-absorption dims and fades (Got Questions).” Instead of looking to media outlets for examples of being a strong woman, will look to Mary. Mary has taught me to love God unconditionally, to be strong in the faith, and to Choose God always.