Anna’s Answer

Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fasting and prayers. At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up and broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem. – (Luke 2:36-38, MSG)

 

Though Matthew does not reveal to us whether or not Anna had been promised to see the Messiah before the end of her life, I imagine that her presence in the Temple was no accident nor coincidence, as Mary and Joseph brought Jesus on the eighth day after his birth. It is difficult to fathom the life of Anna. Widowed, likely at a very young age, she chose to remain in the Temple area day in and day out, for decades. Matthew describes her has a prophet, and her heart was clearly connected to God as she worshiped and prayed day and night. Likely, one of her often prayed prayers was for the Savior to come to rescue Israel, as had been foretold in scripture. Incredibly, after all of her faithful time spent serving and honoring God, she suddenly found herself standing in the presence of a promise coming to fruition. Immanuel, God with us, came near in a tangible way to Anna, who had waited nearly a lifetime to behold the very One who was held before her. May we worship with the same sort of wonder and celebration as those first few whom God blessed with the opportunity to be in the presence of our Savior. The glory of the first Christmas remains the same, as we celebrate God with us, now and forevermore.

 

Remarkable the faith, 

And hope she held dear;

Faithful for ages,

Prayers that God come near.

In awe and wonder,

Her eyes did behold;

The promised Savior,

Scriptures had foretold.

She could not help speak,

To all others tell;

This most holy news,

Rejoice! It is well.

The hope she had held,

Was found in the eyes;

Eight-day-old baby,

Future realized.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son to save us. Thank You that Jesus made the way for us to be in right relationship with You, despite our shortcomings. Forgive us for forgetting all that Jesus went through to not only redeem us, but to know and understand our struggles and pain. Teach us to trust You with a relentless faith like Anna. Help us to faithfully pray and worship You, regardless of what we see. Show us how to love those around us in a way that offers hope where there is none, so they too may look to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You and praise You for all that You have done through the precious gift of Your Son. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy. – Hebrews 4:16

Planned with Purpose

Now God has us where He wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all His idea, and all His work. All we do is trust Him enough to let Him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join Him in the work He does, the good work He has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing. – (Ephesians 2:7-10, MSG)

 

Where we are is no accident. Our time, place and position is ordered by God, Himself. Though where we are and what we do may seem insignificant to us, it is intentional and purposeful to the Lord. While we were yet sinners, Christ came close so that we might come to know Him. As we chose to believe and receive what He had to offer, the Lord showered us with His grace and kindness; loving us to new life. In Him, we are created to do good work that He has planned for each of us, individually. Each of us are uniquely designed with a particular path in mind. He knows us intimately, and has created a calling for our lives that is specific to our individual strengths that He has placed within us. May we rise us and seek the Lord and His will, so that we may be about that which we have been created to do.

 

For the Lord is good,

His creation too;

all with a purpose,

unique things to do.

We all have been called,

to trust in the Lord;

to use what He gives,

let Christ be adored.

Nothing within us,

comes from our own will;

but has been granted,

it‘s through Christ we’re filled.

May we choose to rise,

go forth and do all;

that which He’s asking,

let‘s answer His call.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that where we are and what we are doing is no accident. Thank You that we are intentionally designed with a plan and a purpose in mind. Thank You that no matter how things appear to us, there is work that You have designed, specifically and individually for us, right where we are. Forgive us for doubting Your design, or for not seeking You to discover what You are calling us to do. Teach us to trust You and Your plans rather than our own. Show us how to embrace that which You have created within us, so that we can go forth in confidence, loving those around us as You intended us to love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You enough to join You in the work that You have prepared for us, and designed us to do. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23