You have a voice.

Just in case you are a woman who, at some point in your faith journey, has been made to feel less than or that your voice isn’t welcomed, let me remind you of a groundbreaking encounter Jesus had with a woman named Mary in the book written by Luke:

“As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38–42).

In our Western understanding of this passage, we interpret Martha as the ultimate hostess. She’s a busybody making sure everyone has had their fill of the charcuterie board and wouldn’t dare serve lemonade without a lavender-sugar rimmed glass. The narrative we’re often given is that while Martha is fretting about finger foods, Mary is doing what Jesus really wants: sitting still in His presence.

But that’s not what this story is about.

And it’s not how the original hearers of this text would have understood it.

In the context of the first-century world, Martha was doing exactly what was expected of her. She was fulfilling her duty by hosting and honoring a male guest in her home. The truly disruptive moment in this story is that Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus. That would have made everyone in the room uneasy.

In that time and culture, to sit at someone’s feet meant you were taking the posture of a disciple. That was a role reserved only for men.

Mary was stepping into a space that tradition had not made room for her.

And Jesus welcomed her there.

By allowing Mary to sit among the disciples, Jesus was affirming a woman’s voice, her calling, and her capacity to lead.

He wasn’t just permitting her presence. He was validating her place in the kingdom.

Martha’s plea, asking Jesus to send Mary back to her expected role, wasn’t only about needing help in the kitchen. She may have been trying to protect her sister from public shame for breaking gender norms. But Jesus doesn’t side with tradition. Instead, He says, “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Mary chose to say yes to being a disciple. And Jesus affirmed her choice, her voice, her role.

In a time when women couldn’t serve as legal witnesses, God chose women to be the very first witnesses of the Resurrection. Women were the first to preach the gospel.

Women were entrusted with the message of Jesus, and a voice to share it. So are you.

Your voice matters. Your calling is valid. And your place in God’s story is already prepared for you.

For deeper reflection, listen to Luke 10 today! 

Step into your calling with Mandy on the her Story Podcast Today!