God’s provision and His ways are not always what we think they are or should be. The story of Mary and Joseph shows that God does not always do things the way we expect!
“And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them,” (Luke 2:7, NIV)
First, Mary and Joseph didn’t force their way into the guest room – God provided a place for Mary to give birth, and it changed the world! When the time had come for Mary to give birth, the couple were told that the inn was full and so they found a stable to stay in nearby. I find it so interesting that they did not fight for special treatment (I would if I were about to give birth) but they made no fuss nor caused a scene, but found a stable and were content! I cannot imagine that it was comfortable, or anything like what they had planned or expected, but they trusted in God’s provision.
Further on in Luke, we find that a group of shepherds were told that they would find the saviour and Lord Jesus Christ and a sign was that he would be “wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12).
If Mary had pushed her own way into the inn, the shepherds would not have found the sign of our saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, they would not have been able to share the good news with everyone, and there would have been no ripple effect. A simple, maybe not so easy, act of trust changed the world. Their trust in God’s plan led to the world being changed forever.
Sometimes in our own lives, we make decisions that cater to our comfort, or we try to make a plan that we think might be right but is outside God’s will, and we do not always trust God for His provision or timing. What if we started making more uncomfortable decisions, but placed our full trust and obedience in God? We could change the world!
Second, Mary used what she had, a manger as a crib and cloths for blankets – God provided the alternative and not the prescribed or normal baby clothes. Picture it, a manger in those days could have looked like a stone-built feeding trough stacked full of hay or straw, not a pretty wooden cradle-like box. Now picture a baby’s crib. This combo does not seem normal in popular culture or bring it closer to home, in my mind. However, Jesus would have been wrapped tightly in the strips of cloth and laid there to sleep. Mary made him comfortable with what she had so that she could rest and recover for their visitors. This is completely alternative and does not seem normal at all, but God still provided!
Sometimes we think things have to be a certain way or the default that we know or think is normal, but God often disrupts those ideas and takes us on the path less travelled. It is not always easy or comfortable, but it is so necessary.
Sometimes we limit God and ourselves with our own ideas and ways because we are afraid that we might fall or feel uncomfortable with not being in control of our circumstances, but God is always in control
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” ( Isaiah 55:8-9).
God provided a manger/feeding trough for a crib – maybe not so normal, but scripture says that God’s ways and thoughts are not our own, His are much higher! Trusting in God’s ways could look quite different to our own, but how exciting – stepping into something different or new that can help us grow and lean into God more.
Last, this was Mary’s firstborn, and she was not stressed or anxious. Everything was in God’s hands. I have not yet had the chance to have a firstborn, but if I were in that place, I would not want to give birth in a stable, a place that typically is home to animals and with no medical personnel, only my husband! I can imagine being out of my depth and being stressed and anxious.
This birth was a first for Mary and Joseph, and what an incredible first. Luke 2:7 isn’t explicit about this, but I don’t see that Mary and Joseph were at all anxious or stressed from any of the events that played out that night. What an incredible example of peace and total reliance on God in a time when they did not know what was to come next or how things would turn out.
We too should not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
We can often feel overwhelmed or anxious in situations that we are not familiar with, or are not sure what is to come next, but we have the incredible privilege of submitting our situations to our Lord where He gives total peace and helps us change our mindset.
God knows our needs and will give us all we need when we need it. He knitted us in our mother’s womb and breathed life into us. This gives me the assurance that I can trust Him and His provision in everything. This means that His ways are higher than my ways and that when I feel anxious and out of my depth, He will transcend my understanding and guard my heart and mind.
God used an ordinary, but not so ordinary, event to change the world. Mary and Joseph trusted God wholeheartedly through it all. Let us trust in God’s provision for us, just as they did, even if it is not what we expect.
– Sarah Judge