I love ants. Weird, right? They are fascinating creatures! If you ever get an opportunity to see a Discovery channel show on them check it out. These little guys can care up to seven times their own body weight! Not to mention the complex communities they set up where each ant plays a role. They’re incredible!
Proverbs 6:6-8 says, “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.”
This is a verse I memorized years ago and is still convicting every time I read it or think about it. And of course I think about it every time I see an ant.
5 Lessons from an Ant:
- – Ants take the shortest path possible. Don’t wander – be intentional.
- – Ants communicate with each other to reach a desired goal. Communicate – don’t assume.
- – Ants cooperate with one another. Be friendly and helpful.
- – Ants aren’t lazy. Don’t be slothful.
- – Ants plan ahead. If ants plan ahead and they only have somewhere near a 60 day lifespan, shouldn’t we?
The ants pictured above were making their way across my porch earlier this week and every time I went outside I was reminded that the Bible calls me a sluggard. Quite accurately I might add. Sure I could make the defense that I’m always busy – because I am. Or that my mind never slows down – because it doesn’t. However, I’m quite lazy.
I avoid doing things that I dislike doing or things that require more effort. Whether that’s ironing clothes or having an uncomfortable but needed conversation. I procrastinate and stay busy with other things. Right now, I need to be planning VBS that is happening way. too. soon! Could I have done it earlier? Yes. Did I over the past few months ever have an uninterrupted two hour block of time during the day where I could sit down and do it? Of course not. But I could have done it. I should have done it but I chose the easy road.
Wanna know a secret? The easy road always looks easy but once you get on it, it turns into the hard road. The hard road on the other hand looks hard but once you get on it, it turns out to be easy. The easy road is deceptive. It’s a liar. It’s the way of destruction, poverty, starvation, and desperation. It’s the way to financial ruin, wasted days, wasted weeks, wasted months, wasted years, and well, wasted lives. The hard road which seems to be difficult is actually the road to prosperity, blessing, fulfillment, happiness, and personal satisfaction. The hard road is the bumpy path that leads you to the top while the easy road is a slippery slope that leads you to the bottom. The only road that goes to the top is the hard road. It’s tough at first but it’s the only road that will get you to where you want to be.
I’m not saying to be a work-a-holic, to spend yourself till there’s nothing left, or to work 80+ hours a week. As a mom I know it’s easy to feel defeated at the end of, well, every day. I feel like with each day that passes I’m a little more behind on laundry, or housework, or corresponding with loved ones, etc. That’s a whole other post but the point I’m trying to make is don’t waste your life.
Don’t waste your life!
Especially on the things that won’t matter one iota next year. Get up and do something with the opportunities that God has placed before you. Whatever you do, do to the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31). Use your intelligence {ha! I have to share that I misspelled this word but spell-check saved me!}. Where was I? Okay, use your intelligence, your passions, your gifts, your resources, and do something. Do it with all your might! In the words of my third grade teacher, Mrs. Franklin, “Don’t just twiddle your thumbs!” Dear friend, life is happening, don’t let it pass you by.
What is it that you know you need to do this week that has been left undone in your life? It will probably take you less than five seconds to answer that question. I’ve already answered the question in my own life. Now that you know what it is, name it. Write it down. Tell a friend for accountability. Leave it in the comments below if you want. Plan it out. Schedule it on your planner. Most importantly, do it. This week. No excuses.
About Ashley
great tips… i needed some motivation today 😉
Very nice words of wisdom. There’s a lot to be learned from them.
Great post. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I’m prone to bouts of sloth, myself. It’s so easy to take the easy road. That’s why people should always push themselves.
Wow. Just wow. This was a pretty amazing post. I have never seen anyone write a post about life and using the ant perspective.
Wow, I love this post. What a unique way to look at things.
I remember from being a child about being told how strong ants are! They are a very unique insect and as you have written there’s tons to learn from them!
What a great comparison, never really thought of all of the things I can learn from ants! It’s so important to push ourselves and not waste our time!
Such a great post….I had never thought of it but you are right – we can learn from ants!
taking the shortest path possible, this is something i always try to do.
I love the Proverb! That is one of my favorites!
It’s so true, ants work as a team… and don’t compare themselves to each other. Or least we think they don’t.
Comparing definitely ruins teamwork, so I doubt ants do… but that would be a hilarious mental image!
Such an entertaining post. Great information.
Great tips. Being purposeful and not lazy can really help you in so many areas of life.
but it’s so hard sometimes to not be slothfull!! lol
Yes. Neat idea and post! 🙂
Ants totally amaze me how they all work together taking just a crumb at a time to feed such a huge colony.
While I am not a fan of ants {whenever I see one I feel like they are crawling all over me}… these are great lessons to be learned from one of mother natures most interesting creatures. I especially like the lesson of cooperation.
So true story – back in elementary school I was at camp and one of my best friends was feeling sad. We were sitting on the sidewalk and I was listening to her cry… watching a line of ants. I would go in to the entire story, but we ended up getting nose to nose on the ground with those little guys watching them – mesmerized at their drive and determination to move pieces of sand and stuff along the sidewalk. Honestly it was one of THOSE moments that put so much in to perspective.
Ants are hard workers, aren’t they? I could definitely learn a few things from them (even though they’re a bit annoying in my back yard.)
Never be the grasshopper. Always be the little ant!
Hmm. This is so true… we should move and act with a purpose and know where we are headed. Great post!
I never thought about ants that way before. But I love the Don’t wander – be intentional. aspect. we need to focus more on that.
Love that too!
Ha, ha, ha… I have never thought of an ant as something to teach a lesson, but these make sense…
Great tips. Ants might be a pest for us but they are super smart in what they do!
The team work of ants is worth “ant watching” We can learn things from ants.
I love these words of wisdom!
So much to learn from ants! So relateable, thank you
Who would have thought, all that from some ants. Great lessons.
I never thought I would be able to learn something from an ant, but you have proved me wrong. I suppose nature teaches us many thing. I will never look at an ant the same way again!
This is a wonderful read! Thanks 🙂
I never really stopped to think about how purposeful and hard working ants are, only how annoying they can be. Thanks for making me stop and think from a different perspective today.
We have TONS of ants. Even though they are annoying, I admire them. They are so talented and powerful for being so small!
So interesting! I never would have thought of this. It can be easy to get lazy sometimes.
Love these lessons! What a great way to explain to an adult and/or child!
What great lessons. My husband has been saying he wants to give a sermon about ants. I need to send him this post! Seriously.
Aww, that’s so sweet! Thank you! 🙂
Yep. I actually emailed it to him already. He’s not home from church and I don’t want to forget 🙂
That is a great lesson form ants. I had never heard this verse before. I love how it all ties togehter.
What an interesting analogy! Good communication is so important!
Who know you could learn so much from the lifestyle of an ant. Love the 5 Lessons.
I never thought about ants taking the shortest route possible but I guess it’s true. The industrious of the ant is amazing though and I need to work on that!
I love the connection! I like the “Communicate- don’t assume!” comment. So very true- you never want to be a rouge ant!
I love it!! These are all great tips — coming from ants or not lol. 🙂
I never thought about looking at ants this way. Thanks!
I think the simplest of God’s creatures are the best at revealing his plans for all of us. You listed all good traits we should all aspire to have. Right now I am working at being productive vs. slothful. This Summer we have shut off the TV and are finding things we could or should do instead.
I have never really thought I could learn something from an ant but YUP! sure did! LOL My daughter has a fascination with rolly polly bugs. Bet if I watched them I could learn something too!
I love the book of proverbs! This is the word on one of God’s creations that was so easy! I agree completely!
What a great take on ants – and all so true!
very creative! Looks like there is a lot I can learn from Ants!
What a cute story! Thanks for sharing your words. 🙂
This is such a cute story. Great take on ants!
Wow, what a lovely post! 🙂
So beautiful. Sadly sometimes I don’t think about the positives we can gain from them. They really do teach us to slow down in life and stay true.
These are great things to learn from ant! However, they still annoy me when they invade the house 😉
This is great! Ants still bug me though 😉
Oh boy, do I need to tackle a few things I have been putting off!!!!
What a cool perspective on life. Love the Ant tips and you are spot on! They are great when they aren’t in my home 🙂
Lessons to be learned in everything. 🙂 I Love the analogy of the ant example.
I love that bible verse because there is a wonderful lesson to be learned from ants. Thanks for this great post!
I am in love with this post! I love the scripture. I’ve always known that ants were work horses and that they were super smart. But I never really looked at thinking about taking their actions, and making them work in my own life. Very inspiring and motivational post!
What a great motivational post. I love the ant tips and yes they are hard workers and get the job done and done right.
This is a great post!!!
It’s amazing at the things we can learn from these little creatures. They sure teach us a lot. Thank for the post.
So clever and so true. I’ve never heard anyone say they love ants, lol.
I love the proverb, and the application, but I really detest ants. They are fine, outdoors. But once they try to come in my house? Oh no!
I try to live my life to the fullest. As a young widow, I know and understand how precious life is and how important it is to live life and not waste any time.
I have never really thought about it but you are right. We can definitely learn a lot from ants.
I really hate ants, especially in my house. I love your way of looking at them though.
Oh wow, I didn’t know they had a 60 day lifespan! I don’t exactly want them in my kitchen, but I can totally see how they’d be inspiring.
Ants are definitely anything but lazy, that’s for sure. You never see an ant not moving.
You guys need to watch the Disney movie, “Ants”. It’s great!