Go to the Ants...

Author - Stuart Crouch

As we enter 2020 many of us tend to reflect on what we accomplished in the past year and set plans for the current year. With that in mind, Lets look to the bible for some motivation.

Often in scripture, we are admonished to look to God’s creation for wisdom and even answers to some of life’s dilemmas. The Psalmist David, for example, points to the power and majesty of God when he writes, “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). As well, Job specifies how we can learn from the various elements of nature when he advises looking to the beasts, the birds, the fish, and even the earth itself to behold the power of God (Job 12:7-10). Paul carries on this theme when he says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). It is not surprising, then, that in our text in Proverbs 6, the preacher uses another of God’s creations from which we can learn, “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.” Ants are the most numerous creatures on earth. Ironically, they can be found on every continent except ANT-arctica. God has left a model for all of us that transcends any geographically inhabited boundary. Ants are good teachers when it comes to considering laziness and a lack of discipline in our lives. In Proverbs 6, Solomon uses ants to teach his son a lesson about the sin of laziness. There are at least three ways we can look to the ant for wisdom.

1. Ants are legendary for being hard workers who work together. The life we are called to live as Christians should be an active one. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 begins by saying “Go.” This command is positive encouragement meant for all Christians who should be actively making disciples and finding ways to benefit the church. As a church, we are one body, working in harmony just as a colony of ants works together as a single unit. If a member of the body is idle, it can affect specific functions and productivity of the body. It’s important that when we see a member struggling, we encourage and build him or her up so that we can GO and fulfill the work we are called to do. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
2. Ants protect the colony. As followers of Christ, we have a responsibility to hold fast to the truth and protect His church from those who wish to harm her. Again, every Christian should be active. Paul tells the overseers at Ephesus to “Keep watch” and to “Be on guard” because wolves would come in among them and not spare the flock (Acts 20:28-31). The sword of the Spirit is our weapon for both defense and attack (Ephesians 6:17). To wield this sword properly, we have to know the word of God. The Lord needs skilled swordsmen in the church, always being ready to defend the truth and protect this “colony” of Heaven. The writer of Hebrews states, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
 3. Ants spend their life in constant preparation for the future. Christians can relate to this mindset. We should live our lives focused on preparing for our heavenly home. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2).
Christians need to be active in seeking things above. This world has a host of distractions that can misguide our focus away from eternity; so, we need to “…press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). God is not pleased with idle or lazy members of the body. Every Christian should look to the ant for wisdom. Paul says, “To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily” (Colossians 1:29). May these words always be ours as we strive to fulfill the Great Commission.
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