THE WISDOM OF THE ANT

“GO to the ANT, you sluggard! Consider her WAYS and BE WISE” – Proverbs 6:6

GOD’S WORD recommends THE WISDOM of THE ANT: “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” (Pro.4:6-8). In this Month of WISDOM for WINNING by GOD’S WORD, we’ve recognized that Wisdom is the Principal Principle for winning in Life, and it comes primarily by God’s Word (Pro.4:7-8; Col.3:16). We explored diverse dimensions of Wisdom and meditated on the Voice and Light of Wisdom, Manifold Wisdom, Wise Words, and specific manifestations of Wisdom, namely: Wisdom of Silence, Quietness, Timing, Prioritizing, Preparation, and Simplicity.

Wisdom is signified in the way we do things. A wise man is known by the way he thinks and operates. God’s Wisdom is also about His Ways: His approaches and strategies for perceiving and doing things. David prayed: “Show me Your WAYS, O Lord; teach me Your PATHS” (Psa.25:4). God has been showing, teaching, and leading us in His Wisdom Ways for winning in all aspects of life: spiritual, marital, material, social, physical, professional, and ministerial. Now, He asks that we consider the WAYS of the Ant, and be WISE!

The way the ant operates ensures that it never runs out; small in size, but wise in its ability to optimise its time, skills and resources. Here are some important lessons we can learn from Professor Ant’s Wisdom course:

Diligence and Industry: Ants are industrious creatures that teach us the value of faithful hard work. Laziness only prolongs procrastination, apathy and poverty (vv.9-11). Ants are never lazy! Neither are they poor nor hungry! Their efforts and hard work sustain them! If we strive in God, to be diligent and work hard, our lives will be blessed in all ramifications – spiritually, socially, physically, and financially!

Proactiveness: Ants know instinctively that winter is coming, so they take advantage of warmer summer to gather and store food. They understand the seasons of life. Ants work hard when the getting is good, and with an eye to the future, save for harder times. They do not sleep during harvest season in summer, but are out in the field working; hence they have enough to take them through the harsh winter season. While we tend to look for Wisdom from the world’s great personalities, the ancient wise man Agur chronicled the virtues of the ant and three other tiny creatures: the badgers, locusts, and lizards (Pro. 30: 24-28). He wrote: “The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer” (Pro.30:25).

In learning from the ant, we can equip ourselves for difficult times when we’ll face the blizzards of life, by storing up God’s Word in our heart. We can also learn to save for future financial winter. Moreover, Wisdom prepares diligently in the morning of youth for the winter of old age.  

Can do attitude: Ants exemplify what it means to be self-motivated. Size, lack and location do not limit them. They make no excuses and are diligent in the business of getting things done. No one has to whip them to move, do their work, or cooperate for the common good. Ants do not need a captain or a leader as they are disciplined and natural self-starters.

Skilfulness: Ants possess excellent strategic planning, precision and organisation skills. They teach us the necessity to plan and be proactive. Ants provide to gather than gather to provide: They provide meat in the summer and gather food in the harvest; storing food for their colony during seasons of plenty in preparation for times of scarcity. They plan seasons of work and of rest to prevent burnout.

Teamwork and unity: Ants know that they can accomplish more by working together than alone. They set goals and cooperate to achieve it.

Beloved, let’s pay attention to Professor Ant’s lectures, and begin to apply the lessons in every aspect of life, preparing ahead of crisis! In ourselves, we too are creatures of little strength, but by the Grace of God, we can work together to build God’s Great Kingdom.