God had been silent toward the nation of Israel for 400 years. It wasn't until the birth of Jesus that God finally spoke to some Jewish shepherds through His angels. During the last years of that quiet time, this was happening.

“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 2:36-3is 8.

Anna worshipped the Lord for decades in the temple with no immediate family support. She was married at a young age, and it lasted only seven years, when her husband died. From her twenties to her eighties, Anna, a widow of 60 years, faithfully served God in the temple, waiting and worshipping, fasting and praying. Sixty years of worshipping God, who would not show up in her nation, God’s chosen people. And then when He does show up with the miracle of the virgin birth, she is ecstatic!?!

I would have thought, “Where have you been?” I get impatient when my family doesn’t show up for dinner on time. Also, she did not count her service as worthless or pointless. She kept doing it day after day after day. I get frustrated with church people who waffle on attendance, service, and giving in a single season. I think, “Why am I doing this? What’s the point?

Here’s the huge spiritual slap I received this morning. Compared to Anna, I sometimes act like a spiritual infant. Wow! Sometimes, I am a toddler of a man! I should always worship and serve well, even if I were the only one there, which I am not. What a baby! God make me resilient and faithful like Anna!

How about you? Are you consistently waiting well for the return of the Lord? -Pastor Mike

BTW, two men die and go to heaven. Saint Peter asks the first one, "Who are you, so that I may know whether or not to admit you to the Kingdom of Heaven?" The guy replies, "I’m Joe Cohen, taxi driver, of Noo Yawk City." St. Peter consults his list. He smiles and says to the taxi driver, "Take this silk robe and golden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

Peter asks the second guy the same question. The man proudly answers, "I am Joseph Snow, pastor of Calvary Church for the last forty-three years." St. Peter again consults his list and says to the minister, "Alright, take this cotton robe and wooden staff and enter the Kingdom of Heaven."

"Just a minute," says the minister. "That man was a taxi driver, and he got a silk robe and a golden staff. How can this be?!" "Up here, we work by results," says Saint Peter. "While you preached, people slept; while he drove, people prayed."