She’s everything life in 2011 is not. She gave up her own fulfillment to prepare for Jesus … and then she was fulfilled!
Anna was a prophetess, a woman who was given glimpses into future things that were hidden from most others. When life took a turn and left her a widow, she turned her attention to spiritual things. She stayed at the temple, “worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day” (Luke 2:36-38). I feel so convicted when I read that. My weak flesh wonders if she ever wanted to go out for coffee! But she stayed at the temple to worship. Instead of remarrying, pouting, or building a posh 1st century business, she gave up her own fulfillment to prepare for Jesus.
 |
| visualbiblealive.com |
Since she was so faithfully in a position to worship, it’s no wonder Anna was at the right place at the right time when Mary and Joseph were blessed by Simeon as the old man saw little Jesus. The widow who had set herself aside recognized the Son of God and immediately, “she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38).
She was a worshiper. She was humble. She was unselfish. She was steadfast. She was prayerful. She was grateful. She was ready to give an answer for the hope in her.
In her 84 years Anna had given up her own fulfillment to prepare for Jesus … and she was fulfilled.
~ Are you worried about giving up something 2011 tells you is necessary to be fulfilled?
~ Are you ready to given an answer for your hope? 
