5 Godly Qualities that Prepared Mary for a Life of Miracles

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was part of God’s redemption plan for His people, and what the Lord saw in her He was able to use to change the world through her. Mary was not sinless nor was she perfect, but that fits right in with how the Lord uses people to change the world!

Looking through the Bible, it is clear that God can use anyone to accomplish His wise and loving purposes, to “work all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

The people the Lord uses in the Bible are not “better” than you. They are not stronger, or smarter, or more blessed, or given better spiritual gifts or a greater measure of faith than you.

The Lord isn’t looking for the biggest and the strongest or the most talented and charismatic to accomplish His will. He is looking for the most humble, the servants, the “least”, and the worshippers to be great in His Kingdom.

Mary’s Life of Miracles Began Within her Heart

Mary, the mother of Jesus, reflected the qualities of her Son, Jesus, before He was even born! Mary was a worshipper. (Luke 1:46-55). Mary was willing, and a humble servant. (Luke 1:38) And Jesus, like His mother Mary, reflected a life of the same godly qualities.

Mary’s life was one of miracles, starting with the conception and birth of the prophesied Messiah, but that’s not where things ended! As your life reflects the life of Jesus Christ in humility, servanthood, and worship, you, too, are a person the Lord will use to accomplish His purposes– and miracles too!

While Mary was simply a vessel chosen by God and was by no means perfect nor divine, she was God’s perfect choice to care for His Son during His time on earth. Why could God choose someone like you knowing where you are broken and flawed? Because God “looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7) and He sees something in you that you do not see in yourself. 

Why could God choose someone like you knowing where you are broken and flawed? Because God “looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7) and He sees something in you that you do not see in yourself. 

~ Alicia Purdy ~

Mary’s faith in God was unshakable even though there were times of great shaking in her life. When Jesus was a young child Simeon had prophesied that, “…a sword will pierce through your own soul,” (Luke 2:35) while Jesus lived out His life on earth.

Oh how true that was! Mary, as the mother of Jesus Christ the Messiah, had a position of tremendous influence and authority over Jesus when He was the most vulnerable. One of her greatest strengths was her ability to remain controlled from within herself, and to navigate her challenges without a show of force – the kind of strength her Son, Jesus, also showed in His life.

5 Godly Qualities that Prepared Mary for a Life of Miracles

1. Mary Managed Her Words in Wisdom

One of the most difficult aspects of navigating the hard times in life is controlling the mouth. Just like the words of God are creative, calling the world into existence and bringing light and life, so people too, can create “life or death” with the power of the tongue. (James 3:1-10)

Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, spoke some very powerful words during her life, but there is plenty she did not say as well- and that made all the difference! Did you ever notice that when Mary was told her life’s journey was about to be permanently altered – she never asked why?

In Luke 1:21 when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and greeted her, “…she was troubled by his words, and considered in her mind what kind of greeting this might be.”

Mary did ask “how?” (Luke 1:34) but she never asked: “Why?”

• Why is this happening to me?
• Why am I the one you chose?
• Why do I have to do this?
• Why does it have to be so hard?
• Why can’t you tell me more?

The Bible notes that Mary had a great deal of turmoil within herself, as many do when the Lord asks the impossible and even more so. And many, in the face of those dark valleys, turn and walk away. But Mary stayed silent and let God unfold the plan for her life according to His will and the entire world for all of the following history of mankind was transformed.

2. Mary Remained Humble in Her Heart

In Luke 2:19, after Jesus had been born, the shepherds ran to where He was, lying in the manger and they told Mary and Joseph all they had seen when the angels sang together and Luke notes that while everyone was marveling, “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

It would have been understandable if Mary had been even a little proud of the fact that she had just given birth to the Messiah, but while the rest of the world was lauding and celebrating and marveling and singing praises, Mary stayed silent.

God has big plans for everyone, but not everyone will see those plans unfold in their lives. Why? Because, while everyone else is busy navigating their space in the world or working to draw attention, the Father is seeking those who will make space for Him, and drawing near to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

God never chose kings to serve Him, he chose servants and made them into kings.

~ Alicia Purdy ~

According to Luke 2:19, “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart,” – the kings, the gifts, the journey, the dreams, the prophecies, the renown, and the status of being the mother of the King of Glory.

Mary had the humble heart of a servant well before she ever saw what the Lord had planned for her life and that was what set her apart from the beginning. Remember, God never chose kings to serve Him, he chose servants and made them into kings.

3. Mary Didn’t Let Her Worries Get in God’s Way

In Luke 2:51 after Mary and Joseph had found a 12-year old Jesus in the temple, He explained, “I must be about My Father’s business” and while Mary didn’t understand what exactly Jesus meant, Luke noted, “His mother kept all these words in her heart.”

Mary, as the mother of Jesus her son, as well being as the Son of God had spend days frantically searching for Him, probably fighting against worry and anxiety. Yet, when Jesus spoke to her, even though she didn’t understand, she said nothing.

From the first days when Mary’s life-changing journey began, she never let her worries get in the way of what God was doing. Do you really trust the Lord?

Have your worries ever gotten in the way of what God is trying to do? When you can’t see how, or why, or when, or where, or who – in seasons of worry and anxiety, where you’ve looked around and can’t seem to perceive Him anywhere in your situation? Mary experienced those same feelings as so many others have.

What now?

In the life of faith, you will go through seasons where it seems like Jesus is nowhere to be found, but instead of making demands or arguing about what you think He should have done, do what Mary did – keep His words in your heart, even if you don’t understand what’s going on.

Jesus is working about the Father’s business – and that includes your needs and your situations. Don’t let your fears overtake your faith in the Lord, even you don’t understand right now. You can draw near to the Lord in praise, and grow your trust in Him through His Word, and pour out your soul to Him in prayer.

Mary never spoke a word of doubt that God’s promises might not be true… even as the Promise died before her eyes.

4. Mary’s Trust in God’s Provision Never Wavered

At the wedding at Cana, as told in John 2, Mary approached Jesus with a simple need: More wine. That’s it. She didn’t come in need of a mighty act or a miraculous healing or requesting He walking on water. Mary knew she could approach Jesus with even the “little things” that came up.

When Mary went to Jesus about the win, she didn’t pull out her “I’m your Mother” card, nor did she call in a favor or demand or command or beg Jesus for anything. In fact, Mary didn’t even ask for help! She simply said, “They have no wine.” (John 2:1-11)

Mary brought her simple request to Jesus and trusted Him to help. She said nothing else about it and by this she proved: GOD CARES ABOUT THE LITTLE THINGS IN YOUR LIFE. God had always been Mary’s provider, and she believed Jesus Christ was the Son of God, so her request for provision – even in the little things – was honored.

Paul affirmed this in Philippians 4:5-6 when he wrote:

“…The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God.”

Everyone has something – big or small – they need help with and so many go to Jesus and beg over and over and over when Mary’s life shows that, once you’ve made your request, just stand in faith as Mary did that the Lord heard you and will care for your needs.

When the enemy comes in like a flood (and he will!), you must resist him, pray in the Spirit, declare the Word of God and remain in praise and worship because you trust the Lord and you have testimonies in your own life that He is the Provider, “…for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, MEV)

5. Mary Relied on Her Faith, not Her Feelings

When Mary was at Calvary watching her son suffer and bleed on the cross, the Bible never says that Mary gave up and walked away. There is no mention that she was filled with bitterness, or that her faith in the Lord died when her Son did even though she was there. She witnessed everything.

How hard must it have been for Mary to seen, and felt, to have known all the prophecies about the Messiah and to have heard all the promises about the King of the Jews, the Savior only to watch Him suffer in torment, and cry out in agony… and then die!

Sometimes, the experiences of this life will conflict with the life of faith in Christ Jesus in the worst and darkest ways. But is the Lord any less worthy of praise in a bad season as He ever was in a good one? Are His promises any less true when it works out in your favor as when it doesn’t?

• How hard is it to stand in faith when the promise God gave you, the hope, is stripped naked, beaten and hanging for all to see!
• How hard it is to move onto the next chapter before you feel ready!
• How hard is it when you’re still in mourning and the Lord wants to replace it with joy!

And yet Mary relied on her faith and not on her feelings about the LIVING love of Jesus Christ, the Living Hope. Just like so many who had gone before her, Mary was a worshipper, and it was her relationship with the Lord through faith and praise that sustained her when she entered into the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

In the praise song she wrote to the Lord (Luke 1:46-55) Mary said:

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior… For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. His mercy is on those who fear Him…”

Mary never spoke a word of doubt that God’s promises might not be true, even as the Promise died before her eyes. She never spoke doubt about what Jesus could do or would do. She believed what the Lord had spoken and moved forward in her life… in the direction of faith.

Thought for today: Mary’s Faith Had Nothing to do with the Facts

What Mary said and what she did not say and both are powerful examples of the life of a servant whose faith was unshakable. Did Mary experience deep pain, turmoil and agony, questions, protests, anger, frustration and anxiety? Of course she did!

But the feelings that Mary felt never changed her faith. God never asks His servants to be perfect, but if you want to live a life of miracles, you’ll need the faith to trust in the Miracle Maker. Mary, the mother of Jesus, wasn’t perfect and holy. She was humble. A willing servant who trusts God no matter what is the right person for the job!

From the beginning, Mary declared herself to be the servant of the Lord. (Luke 1:38) And her life proved it.

Learn more about the 7 Hebrew Words for Praise and how each one helps create strength, intimacy, and fresh revelation as you understand more about God’s plan for praise in your life!

After His resurrection, Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for “power from on high” and for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and Acts 1 notes, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” (Acts 1:4-14)

Mary moved forward with her life in Christ. She continued on in faith, waiting for more promises of God to manifest on the earth, starting with the Holy Spirit Jesus promised He would send after His departure. She had seen the worst this list has to offer yet without questions, yet Mary believed Jesus would accomplish what He said He would do – and as a result, she was there when the fire of God came down and transformed her life again!