Let Me Be Like An Ant

We are facing two great dilemmas in our nation and each day both are front and center in our minds: the relentless rise of COVID and the ever widening division of our people. One issue alone would be overwhelming, but both at the same time is exhausting. All of us have been impacted directly or indirectly by both. And both issues keep us apart.

Let’s call a duck a duck. This is the work of the enemy who wants to discourage us and take us out. He wants to steal our hope, fill our heads with lies, and divide brother and sister. If he can take our focus off of Jesus and drown us in our troubles, he can keep us in his darkness. No matter how tough the times, and no matter how tired we feel, we can’t let him win.

That’s where the ant comes in, the smallest of creatures who is so wise. God tells us to observe ants and how they operate. Believe it or not, they move much like humans, social beings living in community together. They are cooperative, diligent workers with no leader and full of determination. They will die for each other in order to preserve their community. They love themselves and they care for each other. Greed doesn't exist and they share all they have.  

Have you ever observed an ant hill? You can knock the hill down and come back later only to find it rebuilt and the ants busy moving their food together in two different directions. Somehow they know to work in the summer to store for the winter. Nothing stops them. They are focused on the plan and they work in unity.

If we are going to overcome our troubles, we will have to work together in unity with wisdom, just like the ants. We can’t afford to be lazy and give up, nor can we afford to take our eyes off Jesus. He gave us a plan (share the Gospel and make disciples), and He told us to love one another and live in unity. Each one of us has a responsibility to look beyond ourselves and lift up our brothers and sisters. We don’t have to agree with each other, but we do have to work together for the kingdom.

If the enemy comes along and knocks over our ant hill, we get back up and keep moving together. We can’t be deterred because we are children of God. Think about Jesus and how He managed His ministry. He saw, He felt, He loved. He was determined to complete His Father’s work even if it meant laying down His life for us. He didn’t care what the world was doing or what it thought about Him. Just like the ant, He was focused.

I want to be like an ant with an ant’s wisdom. I want to see the needs of others and work with others to meet those needs no matter what. Our hope lies in the examples of Jesus and the ant. Both are wise and are not misled. We can get through the virus and the division if we are like both of them. It means putting aside our differences and opinions, and loving those who don’t love you. Jesus gave us all the tools we need and the story of the ant to guide us. Be the ant and be like Jesus.

“Go to the ant...consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Proverbs 6:6-8

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race hat is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1

Prayer

Lord,

I may be hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. I know that no temptation has overtaken me except what is common to mankind. And You are faithful; You will not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. But when I am tempted, You will also provide a way out so that I can endure it; for everyone born of You overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. I will be strong in You and in Your mighty power. I will put on Your full armor, so that I can take my stand against the devil’s schemes. I know my struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, I will put on Your full armor, so that when the day of evil comes, I may be able to stand my ground, and after I have done everything, to stand. I will stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around my waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with my feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, I will take up the shield of faith, with which I can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. I will take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. I will pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, I will be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. AMEN!


Photo by Skyler Ewing from Pexels

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