THE LOWLY ANT CAN TEACH US LESSONS ABOUT OUR PURPOSE

Isn’t it amazing how God sends us living creatures from His creation to teach us how to be better followers of Him? And nature gives us many insights into His character. Hallelujah!

Eternal perspectives              by Sally Bair

The ant

Most of nature intrigues me, including the lowly ant. I enjoy watching ants carry sticks and other items along the ground to their nests. Many of the items are larger than they are. Like bees, they seem to be hard-working and busy all the time.

We humans, however, sometimes see them as pests. Sugar ants leave trails in our kitchens. Carpenter ants chew the wood in and around our houses. The red fire ants of the south are known to kill weak, newborn calves. This must be true, since one ant colony can house up to twenty million individual ants. And when we consider the world is populated with over 12,000 species of ants, no wonder we take notice of them.

God has given the ant a purpose on earth. Actually, ants serve four purposes. They aerate the soil and improve its drainage, improve the chemistry of the soil, disperse seeds—usually to their nests where the seeds take root in more fertile soil—and prey on pests such as ticks and termites.

If we accidentally step on their ant hill, they scurry to attack our feet. They rush to rebuild their home. They remain constantly on the go.

It’s no wonder King Solomon chose to use the lowly ant as a life lesson. “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6)

As I grow older, I consider more than ever how to use my own time wisely. I like to think that God would have us all be a little like the busy ant. We can work for Him through the gifts He has given us, whether they include helping others, teaching His Word, praying for those in need or befriending someone who needs encouragement and a listening ear.

 Though we all need down-time to restore our energy, God would have us use the time He’s given us wisely. Every kingdom has its workers. Unlike ants, which “have no captain, overseer or ruler,” we can rely on and work for our heavenly King, Jesus Christ. We can allow Him to guide us in His purposes which include loving Him above all others and loving our fellow man. Like ants, we can be diligent workers who aerate the soil of human hearts and disperse the seeds of God’s love and salvation.

Lord, thank You for the gift of time. Help us control our use of it and forgive us when we fritter away our time on things that have no eternal value. In Jesus’ name, amen.