Anna's life of love and purpose

Living with purpose in this time of history

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Hello to my favorite people on this favorite day!

I am bubbling over with some Anna inspiration so it is fitting today that I write about her purpose filled life with joy. I see so much love in Anna’s story and similarity to the time of history we are living in now.

There was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38

This scripture in Luke tells me that Anna was a prophetess, an intercessor and evangelist. She was married for only 7 years before she became a widow. Then she chose to live the rest of her life committed to serving God in the temple day & night with fasting and prayers. She knew heartache or pain of separation from a loved one. She knew what it meant to be broken before the Lord and be put back together by His healing hand. He is the greater reality that she touched. She touched His worthiness and her worth in Him even though it was undeserving. She chose well, and allowed Him to lead and guide her. Anna fulfilled her calling to stand in the gap and build up a wall of intercession for the land to be blessed rather than destroyed. I believe she found her joy and purpose in this place or else she would not have stayed for 60 years. God had a great plan for her life and she said yes. Because of her yes, she was able to partner with preparing the way for God’s son, Jesus, to come to earth and redeem us (that is no small plan to be a part of). Not only did she get to believe and have this joy hidden within her heart, she was able to SEE the promise come to pass in her day. God preserved her life so that she would be alive in this specific time of history. Whoa! She prayed and prayed for the fulfillment of the Lord and He came in flesh right before her very eyes. Sometimes that is too much for my heart to grasp. I pray and find Him in the prayers and that is enough but to go even further and give us the fulfillment in our day sometimes just overwhelms me to tears of joy. Many times I am drawn to my knees in prayer over an issue but what keeps me there in prayer is meeting with Him in His Presence and that is enough. The answer is desired but it’s not the sole purpose anymore.

In Anna’s life, there was so much purpose in her prayers, tears, joy, and labor of love. There was so much more than she could probably comprehend at the time yet I believe she knew she was a part of something bigger, His story unfolding for a greater glory. She fasted, prayed, served and spoke of Him to others. As with Anna’s life, I believe our lives are to be lived with such purpose and significance as well. Her life was preparation for the coming of the Lord. Before her life was over she beheld the fruit of her labors, the glory of the Lord and set eyes on the beauty of Jesus. Just as Anna’s life was a partial fulfillment of preparing the way of the Lord, I believe we can also be an answer to prayer in preparing the way for His second coming. I believe there is a calling and anointing on modern-day Anna’s with much grace to fast and pray for long hours but there is also an invitation for every believer to pray and be a part of the grand story that the Lord is unfolding in our time of history, for our nation and the whole earth. The potential for us to see the fulfillment of His return is beyond beautiful to me. It is love. So whether it is this generation or a future generation it shows me that He loves us so well and so much to put the desire in our hearts, just as He did with Anna. He is my Blessed Hope in whom I wait and long for.

I believe we are living in an important time in history where it is necessary to wash ourselves in His word and in song in order to stay connected to our purpose and to grow in greater love. Make eye to eye contact with Him and our people that we live life with. Stay hungry, rest in the fulfillment yet wait in the space for more that is coming.

Prayer Lord, I thank you for your Spirit and Word that breathes life into my being. I thank you for the inspiration of Anna’s devoted life lived unto you. I celebrate and bless the modern-day Anna’s of the world today, in this specific time of history. They were born for greatness, like a lion and a lamb, able to roar yet also be meek. I bless them with the grace to fast and pray (however that may look like in the context of their daily life and responsibilities). They are a good gift to you, their family and friends and to the whole earth. I pray for grace to live a lifestyle of leaning into You as beloved and very best friend with secrets held closely and deeply in hearts knowing we belong and are secure in You. I pray for eyes to see you and ears to hear You, even in the hard things and dark hours. I pray that hard things would draw us nearer to You and into Your steadfast love. You are worthy and fully deserving of our all! All of our time, hearts, hurts, fears, unmet expectations, we lay them at your feet in exchange for your riches, glory and treasures unending. You are the One I cling to, You are the One I adore. I live a life fully given to You with joy-filled purpose in being a part of your return for your bride. There is so much hope and so much more to come, the best is coming! I have a home, I have a family in You.

Friends, you are beautiful, loved, treasured and valued. You are different, unique and that is what makes you special. God made you perfectly. He rejoices over you this day with singing. Go and be great like only you can do! I love the way God made you, friends and I am grateful for you in my life!

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