Worship in the Waiting: What Mary of Bethany Teaches Us About Devotion—Hearing Jesus Daily Devotional
Mary wasn’t lazy. She was listening.
In a moment when expectations said she should be working, Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet. Her posture wasn’t one of passivity—it was one of obedience. In this episode, we explore how Mary’s decision to prioritize presence over performance teaches us what it really looks like to follow Jesus as women of faith today.
SHE HEARS CHAPTER 5
Mary of Bethany
When life slows to a halt, and we’re left sitting in the tension of pain, it’s hard to know what to do. But what if the answer isn’t doing more—but being still in the presence of Jesus? In She Hears, Chapter 5 brings us face to face with Mary of Bethany—a woman who understood the power of proximity to Jesus.
“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” — John 11:32
Mary’s words echo the heartbreak of anyone who’s ever wondered why God didn’t show up the way they prayed He would. Her brother Lazarus had died. Her world had collapsed. And when Jesus finally came, she fell at His feet—not with anger, but with honesty.
What’s powerful about Mary is not just her sorrow—it’s her posture. She weeps, but she stays near. She doesn’t mask the pain. She brings it to the feet of the only One who can carry it. In the moments that follow, we see something deeply tender: Jesus weeps too.
Grief and worship are not opposites. Mary teaches us that it’s possible to hold both. She’s the same woman who, not long after this moment, pours expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair. Her story is one of intimacy, trust, and radical devotion.
In a culture where women weren’t expected to sit and learn from a rabbi, Mary did just that. She wasn’t focused on impressing anyone—she was focused on being near Jesus. Her sister Martha was busy serving. Mary was busy listening. And Jesus said she chose the better thing.
If you’ve ever wondered where God is in your pain… If you’ve felt overlooked while others seem to be “doing” all the right things… If you’re longing to hear from Him again—Mary’s story is for you.
You don’t need to strive to earn God’s attention. You already have it. He meets you in your grief. He welcomes your worship. He draws near to your devotion. Even when it looks like silence from Heaven, God is never absent.
In She Hears, Mary of Bethany reminds us that deep connection with Jesus often happens in quiet, still places. When we choose to sit at His feet, even in the unknown, we discover a kind of peace the world can’t offer—and a relationship that sustains us through anything.
Want to go deeper into Mary of Bethany’s story? We spent a full week exploring her journey on the Hearing Jesus podcast—six thoughtful episodes that unpack her relationship with Jesus, her grief, her worship, and her bold faith.
Listen to the full series here.
pray with me
Jesus, help me to worship You even in the waiting. Teach me to bring my sorrow to Your feet. When I don’t understand what You’re doing, remind me that You are still near. Like Mary, I want to choose what is better. Help me hear You today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
