Here are three lessons we can learn from an 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. - Proverbs 6:6-8
1. Hard-Worker
Ants work hard all summer gathering food and resources to keep them safe, feed, and healthy during the winter season. The Bible mentions ants twice and says we should learn from them in regards to their work ethic. Even though they are little insects, they are strong and can carry between 10-50 times their weight. Humans are also supposed to work hard and be productive citizens. As Christians, we should not only work hard in our day to day lives in order to provide food, resources, and basic needs for our family, but we should also be working hard to glorify God and advance His Kingdom.
There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer; - Proverbs 30:24-25
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:16
2. Loyalty
Ants live in colonies led by the queen ant. The queen ant is the only one that can reproduce. Most colonies die if their queen dies because they do not replace her. There are also soldier ants who protect the queen at all costs, defend the colony, and fight against other colonies for food or living areas. Similarly to ants, we need to be loyal and obedient to our Lord. We should be ready to give an account of why we believe what we believe, defend God in a godly manner even to the point of death.
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written,‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” - Matthew 4:10
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. - Matthew 6:24
that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other. Let your heart therefore be loyal to the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day.” - 1 Kings 8:60-61
3. Senses
Ants hear by feeling the vibration through their feet since they do not have ears. As humans we have senses, the common ones are hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and touching. If we are without one of these senses, our other senses are heightened; God cleverly designed us. We become so used to these special senses that we don't use them correctly. God gave us two ears to hear and listen with, one mouth to speak with when needed, one tongue to taste with, one nose to smell with, two eyes to see and observe with, two hands to touch and work with, two feet to walk with, and one mind to understand and learn with. As Christians, we are supposed to listen more than speak and use our minds more than our emotions. We are to be empathic towards others and put love in action while also speaking words of encouragement and hope. We are to use all of our senses to the fullest ability with God's help and not use these senses for selfish, sinful, or lazy desires. Just as ants hear through the vibration on the ground with their feet, we need to heighten our senses by slowing down and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” - Mark 9:50
How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. - Psalm 119:103-104
Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? - Mark 8:18
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. - James 1:19-20
Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. - Ecclesiastes 10:1
Thereforebe imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. - Ephesians 5:1-2
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. - James 1:22-25
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. - 1 Peter 3:14-16
Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. - Psalm 34:13-14
And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. - Matthew 9:20-22
But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes they have, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; noses they have, but they do not smell; they have hands, but they do not handle; feet they have, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them. O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. - Psalm 115:3-11
Thanks, Carina. I especially like the comments on number 3, the senses. Much wisdom!
Thanks for sharing with us.....your thoughts and "the word"!