Where There's Not A Place For Everyone.

"And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spoke of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." (Luke 2:38)

This verse, the final sentence we have in Scripture in relation to the prophetess Anna, holds a sobering reminder of the story of Christ's arrival: in spite of the oppression of imperial Rome, in spite of regular attendance in the synagogue, in spite of accessing the privilege of worshipping at the temple in Jerusalem, not everyone was interested in being part of the redemption story.

Anna had a mandate as a prophetess: she "spoke of Him to all them that looked for redemption". Apparently, some folks were looking for redemption and some folks weren't. And Anna didn't bother wasting her time with those who weren't interested in being redeemed.

Let's bring this into our time, even as we face the end of 2009 and the advent of 2010. Let's even make it a personal question for you. Why are you at Bronx Bethany? Why do you come to worship?

-Some people only show up to sing. They sing beautifully, and then when it's over they are out of the door. If it's not their turn to sing, they're not in the building.

-Some people show up out of ceremony. They wander around for the entire service, they never give an offering. They complain about how long the service is, then they stand in the hallway for another forty minutes after service to talk with their friends. Their church attendance is just empty tradition, because their behavior clearly underlines their disinterest in actually hearing from God.

-Some people show up because they are hungry and thirsty for the word of God. They long for Christian community. They long to worship the Lord with other members of the body of Christ. They long to hear the word of the Lord preached by men and women who have given their lives for God's service. And guess what? Those people are the people who will receive the prophetic word. Those are the ones who will experience God's salvation, redemption, and deliverance.

In seven days we start a new year. Perhaps this is a good time to reflect on who we really are, who we really serve, what we really long for. For some of us, perhaps this is the time to do as Anna did, and serve the Lord through the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fasting. My prayer is that we each will be authentic before God, and that He will find in us hearts that long to see Him. Lord, may it be so!