PODCAST
One Necessary Thing
December 25th, 2012
Luke 2:34-40
To the outside observer, Anna’s life probably seemed unfulfilling at best and meaningless at worst. Many young Jewish women were married as early as 13, so Anna could have been as young as 20 when her husband died. She most certainly would have been under 30. At the age of 84, then, Anna could have spent as many as 64 years living and worshiping in the temple. Luke does not specify whether or not she had children, but we know that she preferred living with the Lord to living with her family.
Certainly not everyone is called to a life like Anna’s. Yet her story makes us pause and reflect on what makes a life truly meaningful. She didn’t run a business, own a home, or have great influence in her community. Nor did she accomplish her society’s ideals of caring for children and keeping a home for her family. But this old woman, who lacked in so many things, was not at all lacking in the one and only necessary thing–worshiping the God she loved.
On this Christmas Day, whether you lack much or nothing at all, ask the Lord to renew your fervor for worshiping him.
Author: Michaele LaVigne
December 25th, 2012 at 8:46 am
Amen! May our one and only desire be to “delight ourselves in the Lord, and he will give us the desires of our hearts” Proverbs 37:4. That is our purpose and our meaning for life. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14. Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.