Luke 2

Someone once said that on every tomb stone there is found a dash between the date of birth and date of death, which begs the question, what will you do with your dash? Or more explicitly, what will your legacy be? Anna is only afforded three verses in the entire Bible, but there is a lot of information packed into them. Notice,

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. ³⁸ 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.

We’re told that she only lived with her husband for seven years. If she married at the usual age of other girls back then, that would have placed her in early twenties when her husband died and young enough to remarry and still have a family, but Anna preferred to remain in the temple to worship, pray and fast for some sixty years!  Imagine that! I wonder how many other women back then, or even now, would consider this to be a life well spent.

But there is a lot I’ve learned from Anna:

1.      Anna's focus was on her God not her circumstances.

How long have you stuck with something in spite of little to no support? Women were not permitted into the inner courts of the temple. Their primary duty was to marry and raise children. She went against the culture of the day to remain in the temple.  I don’t think I would have been so inclined to persevere, but think of how many people Anna was able to share her faith with, pray for and support over those sixty years. I believe she could remain there because her eyes were fixed on God and not her circumstances:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. – Hebrews 12:1-3

2. Anna’s life was one of obedience.
Anna obeyed God. She surrendered her will to God and did what God told her to do. How about you? Has God told you to do something but you've been hesitant? How quick are you to obey when God gives you a directive knowing the blessings of being obedient far outweigh the blessings of getting your way?

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. – 1 Peter 4:10-11

3. Anna’s life demonstrates that with God all things are possible.
Even in the toughest of times (Anna being widowed at such a young age) God is with us. Anna assures us that we can be used by God no matter who we are, or what situation we find ourselves in.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; Your love, O LORD, endures forever – do not abandon the works of Your hands.
-Psalm 138:7-9

4. God provided for Anna.
How was Anna able to provide for herself residing in the temple night and day? The answer is, she didn’t, God did.  Being a widow, Anna, had to rely on others to feed and clothe her. The Lord provided for her and He will provide for us too!

My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.
–Psalm 17:5-6

5. Anna was courageous and committed.
I don’t think I need to go into the kind of courage and commitment it would take for anyone to remain in God’s house night and day ministering to others and telling others about the coming Savior. I thought of Joshua 1:9 for courage,

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, [push past your fears to reach your goals] for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

And Romans 5;3-5 for commitment:

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

6. Anna understood what patience meant.
She waited for Christ to come despite the many years that had past. This one truly hits me right at my core, for patience has never been one of my best virtues. I am not sure I could have waited that long, but Anna could wait because of all the reasons I stated above. She knew God, she was completely surrendered and committed to Him, and she knew more so than anyone perhaps, that with God all things are possible.

I believe Anna could have penned these words herself:

We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light. - Col 1:11-12

Blessings, 

sue