As we look to nature, we can see that there are commands embedded in the animal’s DNA. As soon as a horse (Foal) is born, it immediately seeks to stand up and looks for its mother so it can begin to feed. It doesn’t need to go to school to learn these life skills and habits. The Proverbist taught that we need to look to the ant and learn from them: “Go to the ant, O lazy one; Observe her ways and be wise, Which, having no chief, Overseer or ruler, she prepares her food in the summer and brings in her provisions [of food for the winter] in the harvest. How long will you lie down, o lazy one? When will you arise from your sleep [and learn self-discipline]?” Proverbs 6:6-8. They are “wired” for success. They have in their DNA the innate knowledge of how to work in their community, and exactly when to go get their food. They even know how to store their food for the winter. Two things stand out: a) They thrive because they are diligent and consistent and, b) each one does their part consistently. This consistency and “community-level” diligence allows the entire community to thrive and prosper each and every year. The proverbist told us to observe and learn from this. We are the only species that have the ability to choose to refuse to do the very things that can cause us to prosper and thrive. Our decision to go against what can help us can destroy us as well as our families. We can choose to take drugs, choose to smoke, choose to stay home and be lazy, choose to remain uneducated, choose to make excuses and blame others for our faulty decisions. We can also choose to be like the ant and embrace the very disciplines that will help us to thrive, grow, expand, learn, work toward a clear beneficial future, gather provisions in the summer for the winter season, etc. Today, God is reminding us that it is our responsibility to allow Him to re-wire us for success in our lives, and that includes rejecting the habits and patterns of laziness and failure and embracing new habits and patterns (like the ant) that will allow us to prepare our food in the summer, and bring in the provisions for the winter. No more excuses! It’s time to get to work!
It’s wise to be like them!
Now that we are nearing Summer, I noticed that the ants are out again. They have begun to look for food so that they can store it for the Winter season. According to God’s word, Ants are very wise. Proverbs 30:24, 25 “Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer” Proverbs 6: 6-8 ” Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Do you have a plan for this Summer that God would consider wise? The Western world thinks vacation, relaxing, chilling out, etc. While it’s important to take some time off, wasting good opportunities are considered foolish. Summer is a time to invest, to plan your work and work your plan, to prepare for the harvest season. Look at what the Proverbist says about those who refuse to sow in the Summer season: Proverbs 6: 9-11 “How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep—So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.” In all you do this Summer, make sure that you take a little time to rest, but do not ignore this great opportunity to sow: sow study, sow purposeful planning, sow prayer, sow friendship, sow evangelism, sow service in the Kingdom of God. Remember what we sow is what we reap. God says the ants are wise, and those who rest and sleep during sowing season are sluggards and will end up with poverty and need. Consider this today and BE WISE this Summer!
