A word for you and for the year

Last January, I was thinking about how some people like to select a focus word for the new year. And the word that kept coming to me was "Anna." A name.

In Greek, Anna refers to the year's cycle, but in Hebrew it means grace and favor.

I kept thinking of Anna the prophetess who waited her whole life for the Messiah (see Luke 2). The scripture says she lived seven years with her husband and then as a widow until age 84, spending her whole life in the temple, worshipping, praying, fasting, waiting. Anna's personal tragedy and social standing (or lack thereof) didn't keep her from her calling.

And she was there when Mary and Joseph presented our Lord in the temple!

I want to live with that kind of expectation, waking up every morning, looking for the glorious appearing of Jesus.

Even if the day dawns grey, to remember that he comes in the clouds and dark times of our lives, and it's often against such a backdrop his glory may be best seen.

Maranatha! Even so come, Lord Jesus! "For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to every one," (Titus 2:11).

I'm still considering what my word for 2023 will be. Do you have a focus word for the year yet?

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