WISDOM FOR DILIGENCE (2)

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

God’s Word sends the sluggard to the Ant, to acquire WISDOM for DILIGENCE: “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.6: 6-8).  There’s much Value in observing and reflecting on the WAYS of the ANT and be WISE! The attitude and habitual operations of the ant ensures that it never runs out of supplies. It is tiny in size, but wise in its ability to optimise its time, skills and resources. Diligence is primary among the profitable lessons from the Ant’s Wisdom course:

Diligence and Industry: Ants, as industrious creatures, teach us the value of diligence. Laziness simply prolongs procrastination, apathy and poverty: “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” (vv.9-11). Ants are never lazy; hence they are never poor or hungry! Their efforts and work sustain them! Striving in God to be diligent results in multidimensionally-blessed lives.

Proactiveness: Ants understand the seasons of life. They know intuitively that winter is coming, so they gather and store food in the warmer summer. Ants work hard when the going is good, with an eye to the future, saving for tougher times. They are out working in the field during harvest season in summer, to have enough to take them through the harsh winter season. The ancient wise man Agur, while chronicling the virtues of the ant and three other tiny creatures – badgers, locusts, and lizards, attests the ant’s proactive diligence (Pro.30:24-28). 

Can do attitude: Ants exemplify self-motivation, refusing to be limited by size, lack, or location. They make no excuses and are diligent in their business. No one whips the ants to move, work, or cooperate for the common good. Without a captain, ants are disciplined self-starters.

Skilfulness: Ants possess excellent strategic planning, precision and organisation skills. Ants provide to gather rather than gather to provide. They store food for their colony during seasons of plenty in preparation for scarcity. They plan seasons of work and of rest to prevent burnout.

Teamwork and unity: Ants accomplish more by working together than alone; setting goals and cooperating to achieve them.

Beloved, let’s begin to apply the Ant’s Wisdom lessons in every aspect of life, preparing ahead of crisis! By storing God’s Word in our hearts, we can equip ourselves for tough times when we’ll face the blizzards of life. Wisdom saves for future financial winter. Most significantly, Wisdom prepares diligently in the morning of youth for the winter of old age. We, like the ant, are creatures of little strength, but by the Grace of God, we can work together to build God’s Great Kingdom.