When I was a senior in high school, I was kicked off the varsity basketball team with only three games left in my entire high school basketball career. I was devastated and angry. Any and all opportunities to continue my passion were taken away unfairly.

My basketball career was over.

When I was only a couple years into my marriage, I landed my dream job. Unfortunately, an unplanned pregnancy eliminated any potential for growth or future success in the company as I stayed home to care for my new child.

My favorite career opportunity was finished.

Add to that list of “failures” a small business career that ended abruptly, unfunded mission trip opportunities, failed projects, and plans that never came to fruition.

Rejection has made me feel like my future would be a failure. I felt robbed of my opportunity to do what I felt I was supposed to do or what I felt was the right decision has destroyed my self-esteem.

However, when I think of Joseph leading Mary on a donkey to Bethlehem, I am reminded that rejection in the Lord does not mean failure. Rejection simply means redirection.

Mary and Joseph were told she would have a son named Jesus, and He would be the Son of God. I can’t imagine the thoughts going through Joseph’s head as he and Mary took the week long journey to Bethlehem, but I don’t think he was expecting to be turned down at the inn once he got to town.

Here they are. . . Mary is about to deliver the Son of God, and no one is giving up their room for this couple. I picture Joseph looking at his young bride and thinking to himself how much of a failure he is as a father and husband, and the baby hasn’t even been born yet! I picture him frantically looking around, begging people to let Mary, who is with child, rest in the comfort and warmth of a home.

Joseph and Mary are rejected in perhaps the most vulnerable moment in their lives.

I imagine Joseph walking up to Mary and with his head hung low, whispering, “There is no room for us” as Mary tries to muster the courage and energy to climb back onto the donkey.

Did God really lead them this far to abandon them now? Where is He? If this child is so special to Him, why isn’t He here making a miracle and giving them a room in the Inn?

Rejection can make us forget the promises of God.

Joseph finally spots an empty barn in a field and leads Mary and the donkey to it. It’s not much, but at least there is some type of security for Mary to give birth to her child. They go in, not knowing that an angel of the Lord is appearing to shepherds living in the fields nearby telling them to go and look for a baby in a manger.

A feeding trough.

For animals.

That can only be found in a barn.

Rejection from the inn was simply a redirection to the barn–the barn where Mary would be able to cuddle her precious baby boy in privacy and fulfill the prophecies spoken over the coming King. This same barn where the shepherds would worship Jesus. And the same barn that Mary would treasure in her heart while the Lord’s Star lead three wise men with gifts to her new home in Bethlehem, allowing Mary to witness the beginning of her son’s destiny.

Rejection can make us forget God’s plans.

I’m sure at first Mary and Joseph felt insecure and troubled at the sight of rejection, but as they looked back at how the events played out that evening, I’m sure neither wanted to change a moment.

Rejection hurts, especially when our dreams, relationships, or aspirations play a role. But, just because we may be rejected by another does not mean our Father in Heaven rejects us. He has perfect plans for us that He created in advance for us to do, and we can trust that His plans for us are unfailing. When we are obedient to Him, rejection no longer means failure. Rejection means God has something else for us that we will miss if we don’t keep going in the direction He has sent us. If we allow rejection to throw us off course, we will forfeit the blessings that are already in route to our destination. The timing of the Lord is perfect, and we have the freedom in His timing to explore other opportunities that keep us moving after Him. Even when another door has been closed to us, we can praise and worship the Lord while we keep looking for the next open door. It may be a mansion, it may be a barn, but if it has come to you after your rejection, chances are it’s your new direction.