Reader.

This specific week, the week prior to Pentecost, I find myself thinking about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Find that surprising? A few years ago, I would have too.

But ever since researching The Women Around the Cross, I can’t think about Pentecost without also thinking about Mary waiting in the Upper Room for the promised Holy Spirit. Podcast Session 6, The Epilogue: More Marys, [Listen here]

Jesus had been appearing to them for 40 days, when he gave the disciples instructions and a promise.

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
— Acts 1:4–5 NIV

And then he ascended to heaven.

There is this strange “in-between” period. They can’t go back to the way things were. But they don’t fully understand what is ahead. Earlier, Jesus had told them that it was actually good that He was going away because the Holy Spirit would come in His place (John 16:7). And now He is telling them: it’s close. Wait here for the promise.

Whatever you might envision when you think about the disciples waiting in the Upper Room, it was not limited to a group of 12 men.

“They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.”
— Acts 1:14 NLT

This is the last time Mary is named in Scripture. With all that she has been through, in the “in-between” we find her obeying the last word Jesus said, waiting, and praying constantly.

You yourself might be in a season of the “in-between.”

This year I turn 55. My youngest son graduates this year. My parents are aging. There has been a lot of loss and change in the last few years. A friend recently asked me how I was doing, and all I could think to say was:
​ “The sandwich years are sandwiching.”

Lately, I find myself relating more to Upper Room Mary. Weathered, well-worn, and perhaps weary of the pace of life. But not defeated or without hope. More anticipatory perhaps.

Only a few weeks earlier, many of the disciples’ lives had fallen apart. They had watched Jesus die. They had experienced deep grief, fear, confusion, and disorientation. And yet now, because of His resurrection, they were waiting with expectation.

I think that's what I see in Mary that I want to be like.

I’ve come to realize there are different seasons of Mary’s life that I’ve found myself relating to throughout my own life. I wouldn’t say these are stages of maturity. Just seasons that seem to be part of the spiritual journey.

• There are seasons where we are “Yes Mary" (Luke 1), saying yes to God with "I am your servant."

• Other times, we are "Training Wheels Mary" thirteen years later (Luke 2), still learning and trusting, trying to understand what God is doing while feeling a little panicked that we’ve somehow “lost Jesus” as we learn to let go of even what He’s given us. My thoughts on Mary & Anxiety here https://9lumens.kit.com/posts/mary-s-anxiety

• At times, we become "Wedding at Cana Mary" (John 2), confident of Jesus and launching others in their walk with Him, encouraging them to obey: “Do whatever He tells you.” Interestingly, these are the last recorded words of Mary in Scripture.

• And then there are seasons of “At the Cross Mary" (John 19), full of heartbreak, grief, confusion, or suffering we never would have chosen.

• Then there is "Upper Room Mary" (Acts 1). Living in surrendered in-between. Things are not as they were; you can’t go back, and you’re not sure what is ahead. Obeying and praying constantly. She is still living the same words she spoke at the wedding in Cana: “Do whatever He tells you.”

What about you?

Which Mary do you find yourself relating to most right now?

Where in your life do you feel “in-between”?

What might it look like for you to keep obeying and praying, even before clarity comes?

As I picture Mary in the Upper Room filled with prayer, I find myself praying:

Holy Spirit, help me be like Upper Room Mary. Faithful in the waiting. Present in the in-between. Constantly praying. Still trusting that You are at work, even when I cannot yet see what is coming next. Help me wait with expectation for You.

Amen.

I’m looking forward to next month in the Women of Exodus series, where we’ll be studying the young Miriam — the Hebrew form of Mary’s name, and likely the woman Mary herself would have been named after. If you missed the Christmas series where I talked more about why so many Jewish girls would have carried the name Miriam/Mary, I’ll include that link here. https://9lumens.kit.com/posts/before-mary-spoke-what-was-written-on-her-heart

If you would like to join us for Women of Exodus, you can jump in anytime. Registration includes access to all previous session recordings and resources.

With you,