No, I'm not talking about the singing group. I'm positive that writers have the ability to attract beetles that will effectively destroy their best work. I've watched the insect variety destroy my best roses while the the smallest beetle works on other various flowers in my garden. I've tromped down woodland paths and seen how their constant chewing has brought down even the mightiest of trees.
According to Wikipedia....."Beetles are the group of insects with the largest number of known species. They constitute the order Coleoptera which contains more described species than in any other order in the animal kingdom, constituting about 25% of all known life-forms. About 40% of all described insect species are beetles (about 400,000 species), and new species are frequently discovered. Some estimates put the total number of species, described and undescribed, at as high as 100 million, but 1 million is a more likely figure."
I think we should add a new beetle species. I like to call it "journaoptera". This species of beetle is dedicated to eating away at your work by creating tiny holes that weaken your piece. The "justaminute" beetle refuses to latch on to the host. This culprit quietly calls to you from another room or makes a quick call on the cell phone. "Can you help me for just a minute. It won't take long. I promise." The front fangs are laden with a sugary substance that numbs their bite and makes you feel guilty if you don't leave your work.
Another insect in this species is the "depromioptic". This little creature makes his home just under your eyelid. He is the tiniest insect yet his poison is the most deadly. Every time you look at your work, his poison covers your eyes with doubt. Each word takes on a clouded perception allowing his partner "giveitupfornow" to convince you that your piece will never be ready. Victims embeded with these two insects rarely send their work to an editor. The devastation they produce leaves a weak area where "discouragatic" can enter and bury his blood sucking fangs. This beetle will gorge on the life blood of creativity until the writer is so weak that producing saleable work seems like an insurmountable task.
The nastiest beetle is the "contradicanub". This insect carries guilt like a tanker carries gas. He sits on top of the skin making thousands of little scratches and depositing guilt until it covers the writer like a heavy blanket. "You can't write today. You promised to take your mother to the store. Don't finish that article until the house is totally cleaned. That information can wait until you spend time with your husband. You need rest...you can't be nice to your family and write until you get some rest. How can you spend time at the computer when your church needs you? After all, don't most famous writers recommend that you get out there and live life? What about your children? Who comes first, the work of God or your writing?"
Beetles can destroy your writing. Beetles can eat away at your work until you lose your desire to do what God has called you to do. Arm yourself with the right kind of insecticide.
Read good books on writing. Pray about your calling. Realize that most men and women who do what God has called them to do - had to sacrifice in order to get the job done. Don't let anything come between you and what God has called you to do!
Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Psalm 96:3
Have you encountered a writing beetle? If so, let me know about it.
God loves you and has called you to write,
Debbie
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