Anna was a widow who spent most of her life in the temple fasting, worshipping and praying to God in solitude. Through the world’s eyes, she was not considered important, visible or successful. However, in God’s Kingdom, she was considered a hero and a success. Anna’s life is a testimony for us as believers, because she was exactly where God called her to be. She was obedient and faithful to the calling God specifically gave her.
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Kingdom Secrecy
• Greg Boyd
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Anna was a widow who spent most of her life in the temple fasting, worshipping and praying to God in solitude. Through the world’s eyes, she was not considered important, visible or successful. However, in God’s Kingdom, she was considered a hero and a success. Anna’s life is a testimony for us as believers, because she was exactly where God called her to be. She was obedient and faithful to the calling God specifically gave her.
In our culture today, we are often conditioned to believe that success is determined by our outward appearances and behaviors. Even within our Christian walk, it is easy to spend a great deal of time focusing on how we look externally with little emphasis given to the internal state of our hearts. It is important to remember that God is not impressed by our external success. Instead, he desires for us to be rooted and grounded in our walk with him.
Anna’s life teaches us that God’s Kingdom is defined by a heart of service, not success. As believers, we are ultimately given the example of Christ whose calling was to express the love of the Father through service and self-sacrifice.
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” Acts 10:38.
Through Christ’s example, we strive not for success, but for service. In doing this, we cultivate a deeper relationship with God and fulfill His purpose for our lives.
Also, Anna’s life teaches us the necessity of cultivating a deep and profound relationship with God. Anna’s example shows us the importance of setting aside consistent, daily times of worship and prayer. In our busy lives, it can be easy to ignore this need for private time with him. However, in order to grow deeper in our personal walk with Jesus, we must be willing to set-aside alone time with him each day. Through this practice we will find the strength to walk out our Christian faith and serve others.
Hide Extended SummaryTopics: Discipleship, Disciplines
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Focus Scripture:
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Luke 2:36-39
There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then had been a widow for eighty-four years. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
