6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work.
Booker T. Washington
Ants at a Picnic
Ever spent any time watching ants? One of my favorite commercials ever was for a Hershey’s® candy bar. The camera pans a picnic in a park, a scene of serenity and joy. Then it pans down to a Hershey bar moving slowly away from the picnic blanket. Finally, the camera zooms down to see an ant carrying the bar on its back. It grins showing a full set of teeth. It always makes me smile, even the memory of it. So, what can we learn from this ant?
Ants are not lazy. Have you ever seen an ant just sitting around watching the others work? No. Why is that? They have a great work ethic. Everyone pulls his weight. Is that to say they never rest? No. I’m sure even ants have to sleep sometime, but when there is a job to do, they are all in until it gets done, and they do it with a smile. So, how can we be like ants?
Be Strong
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
The commercial showed one really interesting fact about ants: they can carry more than their weight or size with ease. We too can carry far more than we think possible if we rely on the strength of Christ. The thing is we have to be willing to take everything to Jesus and then leave it with Him. His yoke is easy and His burden light because he carries the bulk of the weight (Matthew 11:30). When we remember to do that, we, too, can smile like the ant no matter what burdens we bear.
Be a Worker
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit….12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:4, 12
In the ant kingdom everyone has a job to do, and everyone does their job. Each ant has an assignment that he/she does without question. Imagine what our churches could do in the world today if we each just did what the Holy Spirit led us to do without hesitation or complaint? When we work together we are capable of so much more for His Kingdom than we are alone. So, what assignment has the Holy Spirit given you? Are you doing it?
Be Happy
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Philippians 2:14-15
This last one is a hard one: No complaining or arguing. I am good with the no arguing part, but the no complaining is more difficult. Human beings are by nature prone to whining, especially when things get hard. What’s a human to do? The best way to curb complaining is a three-prong approach: gratitude, perspective, and submission.
Whenever I hear myself complaining, I try to stop and think of what I have to be grateful for instead. My life may not be exactly as I want it, but it is full of little blessings when I take the time to look around. Next, I try to get an eternal perspective instead of an earthly one. When I look at circumstances from God’s perspective, as best I can, I often find aggravations are actually opportunities for service. Finally, I have to give it over to God and submit to His Will, knowing He only wants good for me, so I can trust Him with whatever my circumstances may be.
Coke® on the Stairs
My second favorite commercial also has ants. It is a Coke® commercial which starts with a kid leaving an open can of coke on the stairs. While running and playing, the kid knocks the can over and it spills. The kid keeps playing but within minutes you see a conga line of ants dancing their way toward the stairs as they pass along the phrase: Coke® on the stairs, Coke® on the stairs.
If only we could see spilled Coke® as an opportunity worth dancing for, what could we accomplish in life? How much happier would we be if we had an ant’s attitude about “work”? Be strong, work hard, and enjoy life. It’s easier said than done, but it is a worthy goal.
So click the link below, sing along, and have a Happy Day:
Related Posts:
1 thought on “Consider the Ant: Don’t be a Slug”
Comments are closed.