Consider The Ant That Is Right In Front Of You

 

Ants are definitely not my favorite of the creatures God has made. Puppies, yes. Kittens, yes. Birds, yes. Otters, yes. Turtles, yes. Ants ... not so much.

That’s why I’ve never enjoyed the passage in Proverbs 6 about how we are to consider the ways of the ant. Not my first choice, but that’s ok. I understand the symbolism. But until I saw these ants on the driveway this morning, I didn’t really think about how industrious they really are.

I’m not an ant whisperer, and I don’t know where they were coming from or where they were going, but they had a job to do and they were doing it. They didn’t stop for a drink or to take a quick nap. They were literally running from Point A to Point B to accomplish whatever they were accomplishing today.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11

Now, if you’d told me I was to be a roaring lion, I would think that was great. Everyone wants to be strong and brave. Or maybe an eagle, soaring and hunting, showing power and courage. But an ant? Seems a little small and insignificant to describe what I’m going for here. 

But Solomon wrote about that tiny ant, probably having watched her go about her daily work. The ant doesn’t worry about anything except the task at hand, never stopping for a nap like we would. A little sleep seems like a wonderful thing, but what sounds good can sometimes be a problem in God’s economy. The ant decided she was going to plan, prepare and work so that when the harvest came, she was ready to meet the day. I love that about her, that she worked under her own conviction instead of being ordered to do so.

So take a look at my little ant friends today and see if your work motivation is anything like hers. Solomon said it should be, and he tells us to imitate the good things we see in her. All of that from a little ant. Here’s a great example of how God will use whatever it takes to get our attention.


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