When God's Plans are Not Convenient

Christmas Tip #13:

Try settling any controversial family matters ahead of Christmas to avoid any misunderstandings or awkwardness.

Luke 2:1,3-5

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem... He also went there to register with Mary.

I cannot imagine it coming at a worse time - the government issuing a decree requireing everyone to return to the home town to register. The King James translation says that "Mary was great with child" at this point. So she, along with Joseph would have to make a 75+ mile trek - through the mountains, hills and rocks - on a donkey, no doubt- in her third trimester of pregnancy. All to fulfill a difficulty imposed upon them by the government at the worst possible time.

We see no mention of whining and complaining. We see no mention of heartbreak on Mary's part that she would be away from her mother at the time the baby could and would possibly come. I don't think I've ever met a woman who didn't want her mother around when having a baby. Yet God allowed - even prompted this inconvenient hardship. God is sovereign over all the affairs of mankind - even governmental and political. Nothing is coincidental with God.

What difficulty has been imposed upon you? Something out of your control that has become a hardship?

• Have you been asked to host Christmas at your house and this is a true hardship for you?


• Have you been asked to do something that you don't want to do - but out of necessity - are having to do it?

I have a dear friend, Maggie, who is facing the loss of her precious husband. He has stage IV prostate cancer and has been recently told that there is nothing more that can be done. This active and vibrant woman is now confined to her home to take care of her husband each day. Yet, everytime I talk to her, SHE is the one who cheers me. Her countenance bubbles over with hope, peace and confidence. Never have I heard her complain. She is inspiring to all those around her. How? Because of her daily and moment by moment dependence on Jesus in her midst during this very difficult time.

God's plans are not always convenient. And we see that even when we are in the center of God's will as Mary and Joseph were, we are not promised an easy and comfortable life. Yet during the long, difficult, uncomfortable journey Mary and Joseph were required to make, we see God's:

• provision,


• protection and


• Presence.

God's grace will be sufficient through our uncomfortable journeys. Trust that even our discomfort has meaning and purpose if we'll turn it back over to God each day.

Have a great day!