Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Impact: Lessons from Elizabeth and Anna
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound impact of ordinary lives in God's extraordinary story, focusing on the lives of Elizabeth and Anna. These two women, though not central figures in the nativity scene, played significant roles in the unfolding of God's plan. Their stories remind us that God's work often occurs in the quiet, faithful moments of life, not just in grand, public events. Elizabeth and Anna exemplify how ordinary people, through obedience, preparation, and proximity to God, can become pivotal in His divine narrative.
Elizabeth's story is a testament to the power of faithfulness and readiness. Despite her advanced age and initial barrenness, her life was marked by obedience to God. When the angel announced that she would bear a son, her heart was prepared to receive this miraculous news. Her story encourages us to maintain a heart ready for God's work, even when life seems mundane or our prayers seem unanswered. Elizabeth's joy in God's favor and her readiness to embrace His plan highlight the importance of living in expectation and faith.
Anna, a prophetess who spent her life in the temple, exemplifies unwavering devotion. Despite her long years of widowhood, she remained steadfast in worship and prayer. Her encounter with the infant Jesus underscores the significance of a life lived in proximity to God. Anna's story challenges us to remain faithful in the "meantime" of life, trusting that God is at work even when we cannot see it. Her readiness to recognize and proclaim the Messiah's arrival shows the power of a life lived in constant communion with God.
Both Elizabeth and Anna teach us that God's story unfolds in the ordinary and that our readiness and obedience are crucial. We are reminded that God desires to use us, regardless of our age or status, and that our faithfulness in the small things prepares us for His greater purposes. As we position ourselves in proximity to God, we open our lives to His divine interruptions and the joy of participating in His story.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of Ordinary Faithfulness: Elizabeth and Anna's stories remind us that God's work often unfolds in the ordinary moments of life. Their faithfulness and readiness to embrace God's plan highlight the importance of living with expectation and trust, even when life seems mundane. [38:26]
- Obedience and Preparation: Elizabeth's life was marked by obedience to God, and her heart was prepared to receive His miraculous news. This teaches us the value of maintaining a heart ready for God's work, even when our prayers seem unanswered. [42:47]
- Proximity to God: Anna's unwavering devotion and constant presence in the temple exemplify the significance of living in proximity to God. Her story challenges us to remain faithful in the "meantime" of life, trusting that God is at work even when we cannot see it. [51:55]
- God's Use of Ordinary People: Both Elizabeth and Anna demonstrate that God desires to use ordinary people in His extraordinary story. Our readiness and obedience are crucial, and God can use us regardless of our age or status. [53:04]
- Living in Expectation: The lives of Elizabeth and Anna encourage us to live in expectation and faith, trusting that God is at work in our lives. As we position ourselves in proximity to Him, we open our lives to His divine interruptions and the joy of participating in His story. [55:47]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [34:40] - Setting the Scene
- [36:07] - Big Stories vs. Ordinary Lives
- [37:19] - The Power of Humble Service
- [38:26] - The Role of Ordinary People
- [39:28] - Zechariah and Elizabeth's Story
- [41:25] - Elizabeth's Obedience and Faith
- [42:47] - Elizabeth's Perspective
- [44:15] - Elizabeth's Heart Prepared
- [45:16] - The Importance of Readiness
- [47:01] - Living in the Meantime
- [48:12] - The Birth of John the Baptist
- [49:15] - God's Story as a Snowball
- [50:19] - Simeon and Anna's Encounter
- [51:55] - Anna's Faithful Devotion
- [53:04] - Never Underestimate the Ordinary
- [54:55] - Preparing Our Hearts for God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 1:5-25 - The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, highlighting their faithfulness and the announcement of John the Baptist's birth.
2. Luke 1:39-45 - Mary's visit to Elizabeth and Elizabeth's recognition of Mary's child as the Lord.
3. Luke 2:22-38 - The encounter of Simeon and Anna with the infant Jesus in the temple.
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the circumstances surrounding Elizabeth and Zechariah's life when the angel visited them? [38:26]
2. How did Elizabeth respond to Mary's visit, and what was significant about her reaction? [42:47]
3. Describe Anna's life and her actions upon seeing Jesus in the temple. [51:55]
4. What role did obedience and readiness play in the lives of Elizabeth and Anna according to the sermon? [45:16]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Elizabeth's story illustrate the importance of being prepared for God's work, even when it seems delayed? [42:47]
2. In what ways does Anna's life demonstrate the power of living in proximity to God, and how did this affect her recognition of Jesus? [51:55]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of ordinary people in God's extraordinary story? [53:04]
4. How can the concept of "living in the meantime" be understood in the context of Elizabeth and Anna's stories? [47:01]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt your life was ordinary or mundane. How can Elizabeth and Anna's stories inspire you to see God's work in those moments? [38:26]
2. What steps can you take to prepare your heart for God's work, even when your prayers seem unanswered? [42:47]
3. How can you cultivate a life of devotion and proximity to God, similar to Anna's, in your daily routine? [51:55]
4. Identify an area in your life where you can practice obedience and readiness for God's plan. What changes might you need to make? [45:16]
5. Consider the "meantime" periods in your life. How can you live faithfully during these times, trusting that God is at work? [47:01]
6. How can you position yourself to be used by God, regardless of your age or status, as demonstrated by Elizabeth and Anna? [53:04]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to live in expectation and faith, opening your life to God's divine interruptions? [55:47]
Devotional
Day 1: The Sacredness of Everyday Faithfulness
In the lives of Elizabeth and Anna, we see the profound impact of ordinary faithfulness. Elizabeth, despite her advanced age and initial barrenness, lived a life marked by obedience and readiness to embrace God's plan. Her story is a testament to the power of living with expectation and trust, even when life seems mundane or prayers seem unanswered. Similarly, Anna's unwavering devotion and constant presence in the temple exemplify the significance of living in proximity to God. Her life challenges us to remain faithful in the "meantime," trusting that God is at work even when we cannot see it. These stories remind us that God's work often unfolds in the ordinary moments of life, and our faithfulness in these moments is crucial. [38:26]
Luke 1:6-7 (ESV): "And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years."
Reflection: What ordinary aspect of your life can you approach with renewed faithfulness and expectation, trusting that God is at work even when it seems mundane?
Day 2: The Heart Prepared for Divine Surprises
Elizabeth's life was marked by obedience to God, and her heart was prepared to receive His miraculous news. Despite her circumstances, she maintained a heart ready for God's work, highlighting the importance of living in expectation and faith. Her story encourages us to keep our hearts open and prepared for God's divine interruptions, even when our prayers seem unanswered. This readiness to embrace God's plan is a powerful reminder of the value of maintaining a heart attuned to His will. [42:47]
1 Samuel 1:19-20 (ESV): "They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, 'I have asked for him from the Lord.'"
Reflection: How can you prepare your heart today to be ready for God's work, even if it means waiting patiently for His timing?
Day 3: Living in Proximity to the Divine
Anna's life of unwavering devotion and constant presence in the temple exemplifies the significance of living in proximity to God. Despite her long years of widowhood, she remained steadfast in worship and prayer, trusting that God was at work even when she could not see it. Her encounter with the infant Jesus underscores the power of a life lived in constant communion with God. Anna's story challenges us to remain faithful in the "meantime" of life, trusting that God is at work even when we cannot see it. [51:55]
Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to draw closer to God and live in constant communion with Him, even in the ordinary moments of life?
Day 4: Embracing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
Both Elizabeth and Anna demonstrate that God desires to use ordinary people in His extraordinary story. Their readiness and obedience were crucial, and God used them regardless of their age or status. These stories remind us that God can use us in His divine narrative, and our faithfulness in the small things prepares us for His greater purposes. We are encouraged to live in expectation and faith, trusting that God is at work in our lives. [53:04]
1 Corinthians 1:27-28 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are."
Reflection: In what ways can you embrace your ordinary life as part of God's extraordinary story, trusting that He can use you for His purposes?
Day 5: Living with Expectation and Faith
The lives of Elizabeth and Anna encourage us to live in expectation and faith, trusting that God is at work in our lives. As we position ourselves in proximity to Him, we open our lives to His divine interruptions and the joy of participating in His story. Their stories remind us that God's work often unfolds in the ordinary moments of life, and our faithfulness in these moments is crucial. We are called to live with a heart ready for God's work, even when life seems mundane or our prayers seem unanswered. [55:47]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of expectation and faith today, trusting that God is at work in your life even when you cannot see it?
Quotes
"Well, I'm here to tell you that in the kingdom, do not underestimate the holy, righteous, humble and queenly goodness of the women of the church who show up year after year and serve and don't ask for recognition and give and encourage and pray." [00:37:27] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"But I'm talking about ordinariness. The ordinary people around us. The ordinary people. The ordinary people that we are. And how if we position ourselves and we're patient and faithful, obedient and in proximity, God can put us in front and centre in the middle of the action in his very important, completely big and completely amazing story." [00:38:36] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The first thing that Luke draws our attention to is her and her husband's obedience to following what God had asked them to do. They were obeying God to the best of their ability and their hearts were focused on that and had been seemingly for a very long time." [00:41:49] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Elizabeth's regular day-to-day obedience was like dry grass in a fireplace, just ready. For the match to be thrown in. When God's plan started gathering speed around her, her heart was already ready. She was prepared. I wonder, do you have a ready heart today?" [00:44:30] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We can make ourselves available to God by the habits and pursuits of our heart, but it is our proximity to his own plans that set us on fire. And when that happens, nothing could prepare us for what he can do with us." [00:45:16] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"When we live in proximity to him, with our hearts ready to obey, we are far more likely to experience those life-changing holy interruptions that Ollie talked about last week." [00:46:26] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Anna might have been receiving the temple's assistance to eat and be clothed and cared for or maybe the charity of the community. But the day she sees Jesus and encourages everybody that the means of Jerusalem's redemption is on its way, we see that now the ones hearing her are the ones that are receiving. Anna had been ready. She was obedient and she was in proximity." [00:53:36] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We will not always have days which will be written about. But in the blank days and the nothing days, we build up the condition of hearts that God can use." [00:54:45] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We need to keep faith that serving God is enough and that loving his ways is enough and that staying tender towards him is enough for him to be happy. And that is enough for him to use us." [00:54:55] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God wants to set ablaze any heart that is willing to be perfectly his. Don't think that God will ever overlook you." [00:53:12] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God's story is a snowball. It picks up passengers as we go." [00:49:29] (6 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The Holy Spirit is available to every believer all the time, and he can stir us to do things that we could never, ever dream of doing on our own. If you feel stirred, pray the prayer of Samuel in the Old Testament. Speak, Lord, your servant is listening." [01:02:06] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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