If you have ever experienced love and then have known the loss of that love, you are familiar with the unimaginable pain this leaves in your heart. Or maybe you long for love and hold the empty space of not having that need met yet on this earth. How do we remain faithful when we go through loss and waiting? How do we speak sincerity into the sorrow?
Remember: Luke 2:36-38
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. - Luke 2:36-38
Anna had experienced the pain of loss and the pain of waiting. Her name means “grace”. She knew love and loss. But yet, in her silence, she did not withdraw from God she drew closer. She did not depart, but worshipped with fasting and prayer, day and night. This became her love, this filled the space once occupied by loss.
Then, one day, a small humble family walked into the temple to obey the law and she immediately knew. Her heart was so in tune with God and His Spirit, that she recognized his coming even in the unexpected package of a child.
Anna’s name means “grace”. As she laid her aging eyes on this tiny infant, she was so confident, that even as she was walking toward him, her heart overflowed with thanksgiving. And she speaks of grace. She gives God thanks and she speaks of him to anyone who would listen, all those waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Simeon and Anna are both present as a modern day prophet and prophetess, to announce to the world that the waiting is over. The prophet’s promise has been fulfilled. Grace has come.
Reflect
If you are waiting today, follow Anna’s example. Don’t allow this season to draw you away from God, but instead, allow it to draw you closer to his heart. Worshipping in the waiting keeps your heart so in tune, that you recognize his work immediately even though it might be packaged in an unexpected way.
We don’t ignore the reality of the hard, but we speak sincere truth into the sorrow. Give thanks to him for every glimpse of grace you see in your life and in others. Speak of him to anyone who would listen. Speak of his goodness, even in your waiting. Speak of his faithfulness in your pain. Speak of his love that never gives up. Speak of his hope that fills the empty places in your heart. Speak of him to all those who are waiting. Don’t allow loss to steal your voice.
Respond
Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:
Breathe In:
Jesus, you are the gift of grace
Breathe Out:
Even in my sorrow.
The Journey
This journey will take us through December 25th. My hope is that it would bring you encouragement in whatever waiting room you find yourself in during this Advent season. Each daily podcast will be short and sweet, leaving you with something to carry in your heart as you wait. You can also subscribe to my newsletter here.
