Guest Blog: Buckthorn Battle (by Beth Ann Ziarnik)

  

 

“Dowhatever will help you serve the Lord, with as few distractions as possible.”

(1Corinthians 7:35, NLT)

 

Who knew Buckthorn wouldbecome such a threat?

Brought across the Atlantic Oceanby early settlers to the American colonies, it started as a good thing—a hardy anduseful hedge. However, left unchecked, it rapidly reproduced, invaded, and threatenedboth woodlands and forests. It wound around native trees, reaching a height oftwenty feet.

This thick, vine-like, and woodymenace thrives in dim shade and quickly prevents native tree seedlings fromsprouting. Given enough time and unless dealt with, Buckthorn could eliminate ourforests and woodlands.

I became aware of the threatwhen I was told that volunteers swarm Green Lake Conference Center’s thousandacres each springtime in a never-ending battle against Buckthorn. Dedicated anddetermined, they pull up young plants, roots and all. They cut off older plantsat ground level and immediately paint the stubs with herbicide to kill theirroot systems.

Something once meant for good,Buckthorn has become a significant problem.

Since things in nature oftenreflect situations in life, I began to wonder about my writing. What that once seemedgood might now be crowding in, strangling my efforts, and shutting out God’slight. Left unchecked, would they prevent my writing and marketing frombecoming all God intended them to be?Things like too much TV?Otherdistractions? Plain old procrastination? How about self-doubt or less time in God’sWord and prayer? Maybe not taking seriously that though hard work, writing is worththe effort for the sake of God and his Kingdom?

I began to see that I neededto search for, root out, and cut off all these and more in order to grow inskill, finish my writing projects, and get their God-given messages to readerswho need them. Left unchecked, my personal buckthorn-like problems couldstrangle the assignments God had given me and prevent me from reaching thewriting destiny he planned for me.

The same could be true foryou.

Every day, we’re engaged in anever-ending battle. We have an enemy who hates God. That enemy is determinedto prevent our writing from changing the lives of those who need the words God hasput on our hearts to share.

PRAYER: DearestLord God, we want to be dedicated and determined. We want to root out and cutoff all that keeps us from becoming the writers you want us to be. For your sakeand your kingdom’s sake, Help us with steadfast hearts to remain focused on reachingthe writer’s destiny you’ve planned for each of us. Amen

                                        *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

Guest blogger Beth Ann Ziarnik is the author of Her Deadly Reunion, Her Deadly Inheritance, (A Selah Award WInner)  and Diet No More. More information can be found at www.bethziarnik.com