What You Can Learn from Ants

Several years ago before I had grandchildren of my own, I spent time playing in my front yard with a four year old boy. His mother was inside with my wife planning and praying about an important church event.

For the first time in a long time, I saw the world through the eyes of a four year old boy. One of the things that fascinated him was ants. Every time he saw an ant or ant hill, he stopped, backed up, and watched the ants.

He obviously had been bitten by an ant and didn’t want anymore of that.

God’s word tells us to go to the ant and observe her ways: “Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, Prepares her food in the summer, and gathers her provision in the harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8, NASB).

God tells us we can learn from the ant. What can ants teach us?

First, ants show us the necessity of diligent effort and hard work. God asks the lazy: “How long will you lie down, O sluggard? ‘A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest’–And your poverty will come in like a vagabond, and your need like an armed man” (Proverbs 6:9-11).

While every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights (James   ), God certainly asks us to work that we might be a blessing to others.

Second, ants show us the value of plans and planning. Ants prepare in the summer for the months when food will be scarce. Shouldn’t churches and Christians prepare also for the difficult days? God has given us what we need. Jesus told His followers to look at the signs and the seasons and be prepared.

Recently, I read that the number one determinant of keeping our hopes, dreams, and resolutions had little to do with willpower. It had everything to do with planning.

Do you have a plan for difficult days? Have you established a plan to facilitate your spiritual growth? Are you finding ways to serve God?

“Go to the ant . . . observe her ways and be wise.”

I write a devotional like this everyday. You can receive it free of charge by subscribing at www.waylonbailey.com.

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