God is the Author: We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).
As a writer, two words stand out to me in this verse–“focus” and “source.”
Especially during this Christmas season, with so many other demands–shopping for presents, mailing presents, decorating, writing and sending Christmas greetings to friends near and far, attending Christmas programs and parties–finding the time to write becomes difficult. For you, it may not be writing but some other purpose to which you have been called.
These distractions also pull us away from the “reason for the season.” We can get so wrapped up in activities observing Jesus’ birth that we forget to actually celebrate Him. I don’t know about you, but I need to take time out to focus on the Good News that He came to earth for me.
The second word, “source,” applies because, without Jesus, my writing would have no depth. It’s like a water well–if the well is not driven deep into a good, clean aquifer, there will be no water, or the water will not be safe to drink. Unless my writing draws from God’s truths as revealed in scripture, the words I write may appear “nice,” but they will have no value beyond being a pleasant read.
God has called me to write inspirational fiction, to tell stories that have the impact to change lives. But I can do that only if I continue to focus on Jesus and draw my inspiration from Him.
The same applies to your calling, whether you are creating art or houses, training your own children or teaching others, caring for customers or for sick people. In order to fulfill God’s purpose for your life, you must take time to focus on Jesus and to draw strength from God’s Word. Then you will be able to see the joy around you and ahead of you.[Tweet “We get wrapped up in activities about #Jesus’ birth & forget to #celebrate Him.”]
