Guest Blog: Buckthorn Battle (by Beth Ann Ziarnik)

  

 

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

(1 Corinthians 7:35, NLT)

 

Who knew Buckthorn would become such a threat?

Brought across the Atlantic Ocean by early settlers to the American colonies, it started as a good thing—a hardy and useful hedge. However, left unchecked, it rapidly reproduced, invaded, and threatened both woodlands and forests. It wound around native trees, reaching a height of twenty feet.

This thick, vine-like, and woody menace thrives in dim shade and quickly prevents native tree seedlings from sprouting. Given enough time and unless dealt with, Buckthorn could eliminate our forests and woodlands.

I became aware of the threat when I was told that volunteers swarm Green Lake Conference Center’s thousand acres each springtime in a never-ending battle against Buckthorn. Dedicated and determined, they pull up young plants, roots and all. They cut off older plants at ground level and immediately paint the stubs with herbicide to kill their root systems.

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

Since things in nature often reflect situations in life, I began to wonder about my writing. What that once seemed good might now be crowding in, strangling my efforts, and shutting out God’s light. Left unchecked, would they prevent my writing and marketing from becoming all God intended them to be?

Things like too much TV?

Other distractions? 

Plain old procrastination? 

How about self-doubt or less time in God’s Word and prayer? 

Maybe not taking seriously that though hard work, writing is worth the effort for the sake of God and his Kingdom?

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

The same could be true for you.

Every day, we’re engaged in a never-ending battle. We have an enemy who hates God. That enemy is determined to prevent our writing from changing the lives of those who need the words God has put on our hearts to share.

PRAYER: Dearest Lord God, we want to be dedicated and determined. We want to root out and cut off all that keeps us from becoming the writers you want us to be. For your sake and your kingdom’s sake, Help us with steadfast hearts to remain focused on reaching the 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