Heaven’s Most Wanted Woman & Podcast

HEAVEN’S MOST WANTED WOMAN by Janet Chester Bly

In an interview on a woman’s TV show, I found myself in one of those free-for-all Russian roulette situations. I had no idea what topics or themes the hostess would ask beforehand. I prayed I’d provide wonderful words of wisdom and quick insight. Finally, she ended with, “What do you think, out of all the Scriptures, you’d choose as the most wanted woman to consider as a role model for women today?”

I wondered where she’s coming from. There exist so many views, theologies, and philosophies, especially with the thrust of the modern-day women’s movement. But I start going through a list in my mind. I admire and respect so many, including Lydia, Priscilla, Abigail, and Deborah. Then she adds, “Please, don’t say Deborah!”

Some Role Model Hints

That gave me some direction. She didn’t want a strong, leader-type woman. She looked for someone entirely different. But who? Then I thought, she’s asking me the wrong question. I would have no problem picking a woman if she said, “Who do you think God would choose to be a role model for a wanted woman today?” I had no doubt.

“Mary!” I replied. And she retorted, “Which Mary?” “Mary, the mother of Jesus.” And she burst out, “But it isn’t even Christmas!” And that’s pretty much what we think of Mary from a Protestant point of view.

De-Liberated Woman 

What a pity, Mary, you lived two thousand years too soon. Barefoot, hearth-chained, and (how dare I say it?) renowned by association to your men. But who would God choose to use today to mother His Son?

Mary, a surprise, strange choice by God. Yet we get a secret glance into a part of His heart. How does a woman these days find favor with God? How can we know we’re pleasing to Him? We look at a very wanted woman like Mary. God entrusted her to one of the most sacred duties, whether man or woman, to bear His being in her womb. And to nurture His humanity to adulthood.

We all can relate to a very human Mary. As wives and mothers, our husbands and children bring challenge, confusion, and complexity into our lives. Mary struggled like we do. But what did God see in Mary that made Him think she could do something like this for Him?

Four Wanted Woman Mary Qualities

1.)  A Quick Faith

Mary was a woman of the divine Yes. Luke 1:38, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

With those words we see astounding trust. She accepted death to her own personal plans when God announced to her what she must do for Him. And awkward circumstance for a virgin, unmarried. An incredible story to relate with risks, unpleasantness, possible rejection, and social stigma.

A writer observed about our century of believers, “We’re the richest, most educated who’ve ever lived on this earth. And we’re the biggest whiners. We don’t like to be inconvenienced or crimped in any way. That includes our lifestyles and our service.”

Not the First Time

I don’t see that in Mary one little bit. And I have to think that wasn’t the first time she said ‘yes’ to Him. She must have practiced in a lot of actions before. I’m sure God tested her to know ahead her probable response.

We can also practice that kind of quick faith. When God speaks to us in quiet, little ways, we should immediately do those things, even if no one else knows. We like actions that bring attention or recognition. But what about obedience in little stuff just because the Lord tells us to do it? Then watch for His quiet confirmation.

2.)  Quality Praise

A poor, illiterate Jewish woman offered the most astounding words of praise.

Luke 1:46-55, “My soul magnifies and extols the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked upon the low station of his handmaiden. For behold, from now on all generations of all ages will call me blessed and declare me happy and to be envied for he who is Almighty has done great things for me. And holy is his name.”

How did Mary learn to praise like that? What an act of worship, plus lovely poetry, and dynamite praise. She recalled what God had done for her and Israel, and all people everywhere. It’s saturated with the Old Testament, Psalms, Hannah’s song with humble consecration God would choose her to fulfill an ancient promise. It’s spontaneous power of God’s wonder, holiness, and mercy. I’m sure this came from a permeation of Scriptures, meditations in her heart and mind through words heard from her family and the priests. Then she expressed those wonderful truths in her time with relative Elizabeth, another chosen, wanted woman.

Steeped in Bible

We need this, a constant pouring over of the Scriptures. We need the songs of the church, the hymns of the ages, as well as the enlightenment of the poets of our day. One of the greatest things for me has been to be part of a church choir. That’s not just because of singing on Sunday mornings and leading in worship. It’s also due to learning those songs so well through much rehearsing. So, in times of private praise, the words and tunes of those songs become part of me, and I can give them back to God. Songs become much easier to memorize than words only.

Sometimes I look out in the congregation when I’m helping lead in the worship of the church family and see people who don’t even open their mouths. And I think, my goodness, you don’t have to know how to sing to let the words pour out.

Hymns & Choruses Like This

“Praise ye the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him for He is thy health and salvation!”

“Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father! There is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not. As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.”

“I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship you, O my soul, rejoice. Take joy, my King, in what you hear. May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.”

Quality praise to the Lord takes practice. After all, we’re getting ready for the great praise choir of heaven.

I’ve got a book of lists I pull out every so often entitled, 14,000 Things to be Happy About. I use this not only to turn my thoughts to fun and cheerful ones, but also creativity stirs in me. It inspires poetry, articles, and entire fiction story scenes. Why not start your own Praise Journal and keep writing in it until you’ve reached close to 14,000 entries? Or take Mary’s Magnificat and paraphrase with your own thoughts and phrases, taken from your life experiences.

3.)  Contemplation, a Deep Thinker.

Luke 2:18,19, “And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” And Luke 2:51, “Then Jesus went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother pondered all these things in her heart.”

Mary was a thoughtful teen and meditating mother, always casting around in her mind what things meant. She wrote important data on the tablet of her heart.

We need to be thinkers, not just letting life happen. We should consider events and ponder God’s plan and purpose for ourselves and our families. Come apart at times to wait in His presence, to ask what He’s doing and your part in it.

A Quiet Place

Sometimes our friends come visit us in Winchester, Idaho*, a little rustic town. And they’ll say, “I don’t get it. Why are you guys here? There’s no McDonald’s, no shopping mall or large church.”

We keep reminding them. It’s there we’ve found space, quietness, a place to study, think, and pray. Therefore, we can better communicate through our assignments and book projects. We also opened opportunity for more travel to speak and research. We couldn’t do all that in a very busy environment. I believe we all need spaces like that in our lives, no matter where we live. At another time, with small kids, I escaped for privacy in a closet or bathroom, to get away by myself. Across the street from our Winchester home*, I walk three miles around a lake. And I’ll probably only see a skunk, deer, Canada geese, or some other nature friend.

Jesus said, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31).

4.)  Mary cooperated with God and her husband.

This impresses me the most. The greater honor for this astounding task God asked her to do would go to another, to Jesus, her child. But cooperation can be seen most with Joseph. You see, the angel first appeared to her. She believed long before Joseph. She would carry the child. Her genes would be part of his humanity. But as soon as an angel gave instructions to Joseph, Mary respected the word of the Lord through her husband.

When Joseph finally believed, Mary forgave his unbelief. When Joseph said they should escape to Egypt, she went with him. And when Joseph said they should return to Israel, she obeyed. She didn’t resent the fact she wasn’t the spiritual receiver, advisor, or go-between anymore.

My Restless Search

Many years ago, I went through an intense search to try to find what God wanted me to do, just as husband Steve had done before me. In the same way, I tried lots of different things. I attended courses, did some studies, took all kinds of assorted classes. During this time, Steve entered the pastorate in his first church. Eventually, some folks in the church requested written transcripts of his sermons. Each week we listed an announcement in the bulletin and Steve spoke from the pulpit about this volunteer ministry opportunity. And no one said, “Wow, that’s what I’d love to do!”

I suggested he ask his secretary. “Oh, no,” Steve said. “That takes lots of time and she’s plenty busy as it is.” So, one day I was praying about this and I heard His quiet voice, “Why don’t you do it?” I objected immediately. “Lord, I’m trying so hard to find what you want me to be doing for the rest of my life. I don’t have time to give for transcripts.” And I heard again, “You do it.”

Obedience Tedium

So, I began the long slog of weekly typing from a recording. It seemed to take forever. I did not exhibit quick and cheerful faith when I first heard these words from the Lord. But an astounding thing happened. As I was obedient and paid much closer attention to his sermons, I told Steve, “You know, some of this stuff is pretty good.” During this time, I’d also been going to writer’s conferences and learned how to present a manuscript for publishing. So, I asked Steve, “Would you allow me to take some of these stories and potential articles, brush and clean them up to look wonderful and send them to an editor?”

That began a process in which Steve began to write, which incited me to get more into writing. We needed to do this together, a team effort. He possessed unending ideas combined with my editing skills. However, it never would have happened if I didn’t pay attention to that quiet voice, “Type those transcripts yourself.”

Look at Mary

We all have different styles, personalities, gifts and talents, as well as circumstances. No matter who we are, we shouldn’t ignore Mary. By looking at her, we peer into God’s secret heart. We learn something about Him we’d never know without this chosen, most wanted woman. And who would God choose today to mother His Son? He’d choose a woman like Mary. She’d have quick faith, quality praise, be a deep thinker, and cooperate with Him and the man in her life.

Janet Chester Bly
Circa 1993

Mary & Baby Jesus Image by Jo-B from Pixabay

Wanted Woman Mary Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Choir Praise Silhouette Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

Joseph Dreaming Image by CCXpistiavos from Pixabay

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“Heaven’s Most Wanted Woman”, Part 1, audio podcast by Janet Chester Bly, ends at 23:44. Sponsored by BlyBooks.com Legacy Series. 

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*Janet no longer lives in Winchester, Idaho, but her home remains, owned by Winchester Lake Lodge as an AirBnB, for families and various groups to rent. BLY HOUSE at BROKEN ARROW CROSSING    WINCHESTER LAKE LODGE RENTAL

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You might also enjoy “Heaven’s Most Wanted Man,” Part 1, blog article and AUDIO PODCAST here MOST WANTED MAN 

Blog article about “Women Standers” HERE:

Standers Stay by Her Clan by Stephen Bly & Podcast