New Realities from Setbacks

No Room at the Inn

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
— Luke 2:4–7

Typical circumstances may seem to thwart a given purpose.

Most of us have made plans only to find the concert is sold out, the hotel we hoped to stay at was full, or the restaurant where we wanted to celebrate a special event was booked solid.

But unplanned setbacks, with God involved, can lead to even more meaningful outcomes. The Messiah was born in a barn and that created its own message, of an approachable savior. Hebrews reminds us we have a high priest who has been touched by every kind of difficulty, setback, and disappointment just like us.

When our best-laid plans face unmovable barriers, we can create a new reality of God’s faithfulness.