The hardest thing for Anna to do was to surrender. Dying to her flesh, her will, her plans, and desires troubled her. Why? Life was passing her by, and there was not anything to show for it. She felt ashamed. Everyone had houses, land, families, and businesses. Anna had none of these. She did the right things. She went to worship, kept the commandments, saved herself for marriage, and served the Lord. Decades would pass and nothing.
Alone, now forty-seven, she felt rejected. No Boaz for her. A vessel unto honor was Anna, with no jewels. Others would look and question her, "What are you waiting for?"
Deep within her, she knew God had something more for her. She kept the faith. She stood the test of time and resisted temptation. Anna refused to be distracted and focused on God and His will. She knew the plans for her were big. With the words "run the race that is set before you," Anna stayed on course.
She prayed to be a jewel in God's crown. As she lay at His feet, she prayed that God would cover her with His skirt. That she would want for nothing. And God promised to set her on top of the mountain, bless her, and silence the naysayers.
She knew that God would exalt her in time and grant her permission to release His mysteries to a world that views life blindly. Release mysteries to a world oblivious of a savior who was born to change humanity.
Anna, according to Luke, got several paragraphs. But Anna birthed a savior from eternity into time. What an honor to see victory and be a part of history.
Who was Anna?
Anna was a mystery with a mystery. Thank God for redemption.
