Today is a difficult day for Christians as we remember the final full day of Christ’s life before his crucifixion. Deep down, I wish Jesus didn’t have to go through all he did.

Reading through the Gospels, it is clear the events of this week were part of a plan and purpose for Jesus living a human existence. He had a unique and stated purpose, even coming right out and saying it numerous times (Matthew 18; Luke 19; etc.).

At the end, which we remember this week, some of his final words on the cross were “It is finished” or “It is accomplished.” Some translate the Greek word as “consummated,” which in business terms means a debt has been fully paid. These are not only words. They are a proclamation by God of a fulfilled prophecy and purpose.

Jesus was born for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter.

I don’t have any book-author tips today or suggestions for getting published, but something came to mind the other day that I have been pondering. Maybe it will be an encouragement for you.

The reason Christian authors have been writing books over the centuries is to build up the Christian “flock” for times like these around the world. It doesn’t matter what part of the Christian experience you are writing about; your purpose is to build up the spiritual muscle and armor of believers, so when we are called on to live under duress, we show ourselves strong and courageous.

For centuries those involved in the writing and publishing of Christian-themed materials have been working for such a time as this.

• Bibles published to infuse the Word of God into Christians worldwide making the Church a courageous spiritual army of disciples.
• Curriculum and Bible studies published to connect the truth of Scripture with one’s heart and mind, building disciple-muscles for young and old.
• Devotionals making God real every day, reminding us of things we forget.
• Nonfiction books on topics from spiritual growth to stewardship and from following to leading have applied God’s principles, so we know how to keep things on track biblically.
• Biographies of genuine believers, so we can tell the difference between real and counterfeit.
• Historical perspectives, so we don’t make the same mistakes again and can see other things coming from a long way off.
• Fiction with characters showing how they respond to life’s twists and turns and finding where true help comes from.
• Gritty fiction to illustrate what happens when life goes awry and we can then journey along with a character who finds their way back.
• Fantasy and futuristic fiction that challenges the mind to think beyond time and space that limits our view of God to this time and only to what we can see.
• Children’s books that set young feet on solid ground and plant seeds of God’s love and truth in young minds to yield fruit later on.

Every single Christian book past, present, and future is building the body of Christ to stand strong against the forces of the one who prowls about devouring.

Past, present, and future Christian authors and publishers are “body builders,” and hell’s gates will not hold up against them.

So, bring it on. God made us for such a time as this.