Not Convenient

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Agustus that the whole empire should be registered. This first registration took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

And Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough- because there was no room for them at the lodging place. Luke 2:1-7

Imagine having received this order when you were about to give birth to your first baby. Away from home and family in a cold, smelly barn with animals for company.

I wonder if Mary and Joseph had ideas about how Jesus would come into the world or how He would be received. If they had imagined that because they were to parent the Son of God things would be easy they were in for a shock.

Do we imagine that because we have grasped a revelation of God in our circumstances that things would be easier, we may be shocked with the reality that the world is not impressed.

Authority can create laws that are, quite frankly, inconvenient. Here in Australia we are facing an election where we all must vote, or be fined. This is inconvenient for those who have to travel, those away from home and those who are about to give birth or are in hospital. Nowadays, we have such things as postal votes, absentee votes etc so that we cannot escape.

I read recently about those who wished to escape this voting season by travelling overseas, but they are still accountable for voting before they leave or writing on return to explain why they did not vote.

Joseph and Mary were obliged to travel quite a distance in order to register in Bethlehem. This was important to do because this fulfilled prophesy about where he came from.

When things are inconvenient we must remember that a bigger story than ours is being played out and we must do our part, we are a piece of the whole picture and trust God for the answer. Amen!