According to Plan

When a pregnant Mary came up on the inn, ready to deliver, I doubt she heard "there are no rooms" and thought "oh perfect- things are going exactly as planned!". We have no way of knowing, but in my own experience with God I think more than likely this detail was not one she expected. Don't we all hit those unexpected hiccups on the way to our destinies? In fact, in the midst of the very MOMENT OF BIRTHING God's plans. She could have questioned God and why He wouldn't provide a room for her. She could've even second guessed that they were in the right place or that the timing was right. She could've even doubted her calling entirely because of how DIFFICULT the situation had become. The interesting thing is meanwhile we know that an angel had appeared to shepherds and told them "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke‬ ‭2:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬. It was a SIGN TO THEM. To Mary it may have been a time of panicked wondering if things were going wrong, but everything was, in fact, going EXACTLY ACCORDING TO PLAN. I wonder even if there may have been another baby being born at that inn or one nearby so God planned for the manger so that it was so UNMISTAKABLE. He wanted it this blessing to be IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS. Baby in a manger? Must be the one! If Mary had started to give into doubt or questions and kept traveling, they would've missed the GIFTS and CONFIRMATIONS God was sending by way of the shepherds and kings. God sent the shepherds to wow them with confirming testimony that God was looking out for them. God sent kings bearing gifts far beyond what they would've ever expected to receive. I share this because Holy Spirit impressed on me that some are experiencing this very thing now. They are literally at the moment of birthing critical parts of their destinies and accomplishing incredible things for the kingdom when SUDDENLY something comes up that APPEARS to be disrupting plans. To these, God wants to communicate that all IS going ACCORDING TO PLAN. Don't worry in the face of the unexpected because nothing surprises God. Don't change course or doubt the calling because God has you in the perfect place for CONFIRMATION AND BLESSING. This PERCEIVED hiccup in the way of your plans is actually training you for greater things ahead. There was a moment in the confirmation when the shepherds told their testimony and Mary realized that God hadn't abandoned her or overlooked anything that she TREASURED it in her heart. Other translations used the word "pondered". I love how as Jesus grows older and things begin to happen (like staying behind and being lost at the temple), when Mary watches these puzzling things that COULD have concerned or confused her, instead it again says she pondered them in her heart. Because she KNEW from that EXPERIENCE that God always has a method to His madness and that HE CAN BE TRUSTED. He has missed nothing and will not steer you wrong! In the same way, God is taking you through this experience to strengthen you to be able to recognize His hand in future puzzling situations. “Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” Luke‬ ‭2:51‬ ‭NIV‬‬ So if you are encountering something sudden and unexpected on your way to your calling, DON'T PANIC! You ARE in the right place at the right time! Stay the course because birthing is imminent! This is training for even greater! And blessing and confirmation will follow.