The Virgin Mary can easily be defined as the most appropriate role model for women. As a motherly figure, Mary exemplifies strength of godliness, strength, and maternal instinct. Mary portrays traits of holiness, piety, and humbleness. As a teacher, Mary instructs women on the importance of trust and perseverance.
The most obvious role Mary plays in the Bible is the motherly figure. One might consider her to be the mother of all mothers. She received this reputation because she is the mother of Jesus Christ. Women look up to her because she raised the perfect man. Another reason why Mary is considered to be the ultimate mother figure is because she was hand-chosen by God. Out of all the women in the world, he chose a common woman who lived in the little town of Nazareth. She wasn't a woman of great wealth or stature. God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus Christ because she possessed traits of holiness, piety, and humbleness.
As a role model to women, Mary teaches the importance of trusting in the Lord. Her faith in God was tested when an angel of the Lord informed her that she would miraculously give birth to the Savior. Most women wouldn't have shown the trust she did. Most women wouldn't have believed the message. Mary listened to the angel with acceptance. She knew God had a plan for her. In the present, women should have the same trust in the Lord that Mary did. God has a plan for us just like he had a plan for Mary. He would not deny his children any necessity.
Mary showed complete trust in God when Joseph received a warning from a dream he had. The dream foretold that Herod wanted Jesus dead and urged them to move to Egypt. If Mary had dismissed the dream as nothing, Jesus Christ would have continued to be pursued by Herod, who wanted to kill him. Mary trusted the Lord to the point where she fulfilled his commands without question.
One of the most valuable strengths Mary possessed was her ability to persevere. She went through many trials in her life, but she never lost sight of the Lord. She used her complete trust in God and her strong will to overcome obstacles and setbacks.
An example of Mary's perseverance was when she and her other relatives went to see Jesus during his ministry. When alerted of their presence, Jesus refused to see them. He put his followers above his own family. Although she may have been surprised by his actions, she continued to support him until the end.
Another example of Mary's perseverance was the way she coped watching her son face persecution. She witnessed the men who swore they would never betray her son deny him in an instant. Peter denied he was a follower of Jesus Christ three times. Thomas declared he wouldn't believe in the resurrection of Jesus until he put his fingers where the nails were hammered in.
The persecution didn't stop with the betrayal from his own followers. It couldn't have been easy for Mary to watch her son being whipped, beaten, and ridiculed by the Roman soldiers and by the people he came to save. It must have been difficult for her to see him carry his own cross until he lost all his physical strength. She must have been horrified to see the nails hammered in to his skin and to look at the pain he was in. It must have been unbearable for her to see him hang on the cross only to experience a slow and painful death.
Despite all this, Mary persevered. Although she experienced times of sorrow and despair, she always trusted in the Lord. She never decided to give in. When something bad happened, she continued on because she knew it was all a part of God's plan.
Today's woman should look at three character traits that Mary upheld and strive to apply those traits to their own life: holiness, piety, and humbleness. Although we live in a different world than Mary did, some things never change. God's expectations of his people haven't changed and they never will.
Mary is undoubtedly one of the most influential women in the Bible who demonstrates holiness. Even though Mary was merely human, she put her best efforts into fulfilling God's purpose. The modern woman should also put her best efforts into being holy. God rewards good behavior. He will bestow good things on people who live in the light instead of the darkness.
Mary exemplifies the trait of piety in several different areas. Obviously, she was a motherly figure. It was her personal responsibility to raise Jesus Christ, an honorable and virtuous man. Mary's relationship with God was so holy that she is called Queen of All Saints. She trusted the Lord to the point where she would never question his authority.
Mary possessed a great deal of humbleness. She was not a woman of conceit with a proud nature. She was content being a servant of God. She took on the responsibility of raising the Messiah with dignity and enthusiasm. She thought of herself as unworthy of the task.
The Virgin Mary is the ultimate role model for women. She is the mother of all mothers. She possessed character traits that other women should strive to meet. Holiness, piety, and humbleness are valued very highly in the eyes of the Lord. The modern woman should look at Mary and not only admire her, but learn from her.
by Shelly R. Vaughan