God's Plans vs Our Plans

[Joseph went] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:5-7

Many may wonder what was going through Mary's mind when she was approached by the angel who announced, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28) She was probably afraid and confused. Anyone would have been. After all, she was a young girl, newly betrothed, a virgin, and an angel just told her she would bear the Savior of the world.
Then, after the Angel concluded his announcement, Mary said the most amazing thing: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Mary trusted God entirely.
Many have wondered how much Mary could have understood about what would happen her and her Son. Later on, Luke 2:19 tells us that Mary "treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart." It surely was not part of her plan to be pregnant before the end of her engagement with a baby that wasn't her husband's. Yet Mary knew that to be chosen by God as the mother of the Son of God was a great honor, even if it made her dishonored among those who knew her.
God's timing is not always our timing. His plans are Not always our plans. But His timing and His plans are always perfect for us. God created time and uses it orchestrate the design He has for our lives. Galatians 4:4-5 says "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons." God decided that this time was the right moment to send His Son, this woman was the right woman to bear Him, and this was the right man to care for them both.
Sometimes we discover His plan isn't what we had in mind, but we must hold tight and seek Him. When we do, like Mary and Joseph, we will discover that His plan is much better than anything we could have imagined.

Questions for reflection and discussion
1. How have your plans not turned out the way you planned?
2. How has God's perfect timing and plans shown up in your life this year?

Dear God, Your timing is perfect indeed. We thank You that Your plans are always better than our plans. In Jesus' name, amen.