Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Luke 2:25-26 (ESV)

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, worshipping 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 (ESV)

Simeon and Anna both represent a generation of faithful Jewish people who eagerly awaited the arrival of the Messiah. They both waited until they were very old, but they never lost faith in God's ability to fulfil what He had spoken to them through His Spirit and Scripture. But in the midst of waiting, God promised Simeon that he would not die before seeing the promised Messiah, and God prepared Anna to recognise him when He appeared.

Our stories, like Simeon and Anna's, are interwoven with the grander story of God's redemption plan for the world. We are not just living for ourselves. We live for a life with God and a life for God. When the devotional and missional aspects of our life come together most seamlessly in Christ, we discover the impetus for right living and whole living.

Learn to live a life of expectant faith boldly rooted in the promises of God.

God's promises are sure and steadfast because they are based on His nature and character. Then we know that no matter what seasons or storms we face in life, God is strong enough to carry us through and strengthen us. You can trust God with your fears and your hurts. And also, you can trust Him with your hopes and your heart’s desires. God will come through for you. He will, in His time.

The waiting is as important as the happening.

Imagine how Simeon and Anna felt when they saw Jesus being presented in the Temple by his parents. The anticipation and angst of waiting were rewarded with even greater joy and faith. What they hope for is already ours. Christ has already come to us. This means that even as we wait for God to reveal the next step or season, we are not alone. The Triune God is with us and within us, waiting for the fullness of time when He will make all things beautiful.