"Anna blinked as she watched the beating wings swerve into the sunlight and vanish. She wondered into which privileged corner the little bird had disappeared."
I could just imagine Anna's experience as I have had similiar ones when taking video footage of the hummingbirds in my own back yard, watching them fly off and wondering where in the world do these tiny little creatures go.As Anna was left with the mystery of where the bird had flown, the photo on the right is the hand of a high school classmate who captured this little one in her garage just last week. While I know this could not be the same one from my own back yard, what is ironic is that this particular species is called Anna's Hummingbird! Now, how's that for serendipity!
After much anticipation, the joy that I felt the first time that I saw a hummingbird in my back yard after setting up the feeder could never compare to Anna's joy of beholding the Messiah that she longed to see. I hope that we will all have the opportunity to experience Anna's joy as our own some day. Keep this thought in mind as you answer one or all of the questions below:
1. Describe what you think Anna's lifestyle was like.
2. What about Anna's lifestyle do you wish were true of your own? What can you do to make that happen in your life?
3. What do you think Anna said about Jesus? How do you think the crowd who listened responded?
4 comments:
1. Anna was a widow, who chose to serve at the temple God after her husband died rather remarrying. She obvious was a devout worshipper of God and like Simeon was looking forward to the Messiah coming. Even though we have not physically experience what Simeon and Anna experienced when they saw the child Jesus in the flesh. Jesus reveals himself to us everyday by protecting our families from harm and through the various acts of kindness and mercy that we are prompted to give and receive from others.
Anna, her name means favor or grace. She was a praying and fasting woman. God loves
a praying woman. We should pray and fast more often. We pray more than we fast. Fasting clears our mind and helps us to focus. Because of Anna dedication to the Lord, she was fortunate and blessed to see the Messiah. Ladies we want to see our Father in Heaven when we leave this world. Let us exercise and dedicate our time in more fasting and prayer. It will help us keep our focus!
Love,
mj
When I think of Anna’s character, I think of these adjectives to describe her; dedicated, discipline, determined, committed and a doer of the word. I envision her as a small frame petite woman that had a big heart to please God. In Acts 10:38 the scriptures make reference in being a doer of the word and not a hearer only. Anna was a doer, she fasted, prayed, listen to the spirit of God. Anna was obedient also, although she had a strong desire to inner into the court, she did not, she stayed where she was because of man- made rules, but God honor her by allowing her to see the Messiah. I admire Anna, her love and reverence for God. She is a person to admire and to mimic her ways. I have trouble fasting for one day and sometimes when I am praying at night II fall asleep in the midst of praying, but not Anna, she was devout. I can certainly learn from her and begin to strengthen my prayer life and be obedient to the spirit. We all need a little of Anna’s character today. Just think if we each adopted her spirit of fasting and praying one day a week for our country or others….imagine a difference in our country and our relationship with God.
Anna was a dedicated worshipper of God. She was a widow who must have been lonely at times. I'm sure she longed for her husband and didnt really like the restrictions that were put on her life, not only for being a woman, but a widow as well. However, she didn't let the cares of this world separate her from God but only draw her closer. Her life must have been a simple one without distractions especially since she didn't have to deal with many folks being that she spent all of her time in the temple of God. With people there is always conflict but with God there is ALWAYS peace (no drama). In my christian walk, I long to be like Anna, more focused on God than anything that occurs in this life. When things that are out of our control, occur, we should always remember that God never changes and He is always there helping us to get through the situation. When we pray and fast we give up things that are considered to be apart of our everyday lives. This shows God the sincerity of our hearts and how we are willing to sacrifice to have His blessings. Because of Anna's steadfastness and faithfulness she was able to experience seeing the Messiah in the flesh. If we continue on this journey in life as faithful and devoted christians, we too shall be able to see the Messiah and live with Him forever more. I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to it.
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