If you choose to accept it, that is.

Jesus detailed the mission to us in Matthew 26, where he says "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Most Christians assume that because of the Great Commission, we must pack up all our belongings, kiss our families goodbye, and travel to a third world country to become a foreign missionary. For some people, that's true.

But some of us have been given a slightly different calling - to be writers.

Again, we start to assume things. Like that being a writer means that we have to suit the style of the secular market if we want to be published. Like that writing "preachy" fiction or even just Christian fiction in general won't get us any readers - let alone unbelieving ones. Even C.S. Lewis was convinced that the world doesn't need more Christian literature. Now, I'm not going to argue with Lewis - he was full of wisdom in many respects - but what if God has a different idea in mind?

What if God gave us the desire and passion to write for the sole purpose of bringing glory and honor to Him? What if He wants His children to write books that reflect our Father's love and grace? What if...what if we are missionaries?  Now, I've never heard of a missionary who dilutes the Gospel and is afraid to speak openly about God - they wouldn't be a missionary if they were. So we as writers need to possess this same courage - the courage that emboldened Paul to say he was not ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1. 16), that inspired Peter to say that we should rejoice at being called Christians (1 Peter 4.16).

A diluted Gospel will not save anyone. Seeker-friendly fiction will not change anyone. Uninspired words will not spark the Holy Spirit. Books devoid of truth will not answer questions.

We are called to reach the nations - yes, even the Book Nations - with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Nothing more, nothing less.

That is our mission. Will you choose to accept it?