Busy As Ants

“As boring as watching ants,” the saying goes. I believe the person who created this saying has never watched ants. Have you? They are fascinating.

I was weeding the other day and came across an ant bed. As I paused to watch them I was struck by how busy they were, each one doing their own thing, not caring what the other ants were up to. They seemed to be driven by a natural instinct to forge ahead no matter what obstacles were laid before them. To test this theory, I created a large log barrier in their path, and without missing a step they discovered ways around the obstacle. They continued in their pursuit of food and other things, which they dutifully carried into their home. God wants us to be more like ants, dutifully carrying out our jobs in spite of the obstacles that may come our way.

Proverbs is a collection of writings from the wise men or teachers in the time of Solomon to the time of Hezekiah in 8 B.C. Today’s verse comes from a section that is about one of the pet peeves of the wise men: laziness. Slothfulness, as it was called, only led to failure and poverty. They believed it was a wise man that would take a lesson from the ants and work hard even if there were no one around to see what they were doing. I agree. Do you?

PRAYER:  Lord, help me become like an ant today, busy at the tasks I have been given while leaving the results up to You. And no matter what obstacles may come my way; I want to be found busy doing the work of You, my Father, when Your Son returns once again.

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest,” Proverbs 6:6-8 KJV.

Today’s devotion is by Cheri Cowell, who writes and speaks on topics of Christian discipleship. In addition to her books and articles, you can learn about her speaking ministry and sign up to receive her daily devotional at www.CheriCowell.com