I told myself I’d earned a rest from the drudgery of real life. What would a few days matter anyway? Presents were purchased, wrapped, and delivered. Cookies and pies lined the freezer walls. Those with nowhere to go had been invited to share our turkey dinner. Why, I’d even cleaned long neglected corners. What else did I have to do? I sighed in relief.

You took a holiday from your writing over Christmas, too, didn’t you? Oddly enough, during that first Christmas, the participants worked harder than ever.

God endured separation from his only Son, entrusting Him in the form of an infant to the hands of a young mom and a reluctant dad. Mary laboured through the birth of her first child with no other woman to help. Joseph probably struggled with finances, perhaps ashamed that he couldn’t take better care of his new wife and the Christ Child.

Every participant moved out of their comfort zone, both physically and faithfully. Christ traveled the furthest, for He came from heaven, but Mary and Joseph made the difficult journey from Nazareth.

Dirty, shabby, country shepherds found themselves in town. Wise men came into unknown territories, crossing state boundaries, and meeting those from different nationalities. They met kings and peasants and didn’t know who to trust.

And this year, as we’ve done so many others, we took a rest. Oh, I know we say Christ came that we may have rest, but I don’t think that was the kind of downtime He had in mind.

I have a sense of urgency about our writing. I feel like God is telling all of us to write, write, and write some more. Write so that someone can read your work. Maybe it is only for your mom, your best friend, or the unsaved neighbour down the street. No matter. Write with purpose; write your heart; write the truth of Jesus—for the time is short and we can have a hand in preparing others for His second coming.

Keep in mind that writing is one thing and publishing quite another. Publishing may happen, but that should never be our main goal.

So, this time next year, may we all be able to say that we, too, traveled far, that we wasted not a moment, that we wrote as quickly and honestly as we could—and that someone knows Jesus because in 2015, we, too, were willing to move out of our comfort zone.

Brenda J. Wood is a motivational speaker and author.
http://everydaychristian.com
http://heartfeltdevotionals.com
www.facebook.com/brendawoodspeaker