Inspiration. Written by: Erin McAliley
“What do you know about ants?” That was the question my friend asked me recently during a phone conversation. My immediate thought was she must have an infestation in her kitchen and or bathroom. “I know they are a nuisance!” I replied. “No, No! Like spiritually? What do you know?” Ok – complete 180 degree brain turn here! My mind goes racing back to a time when my 4 children were “the littles” and I had a wall chart titled “Go to the Ant, Thou Sluggard!” It was for biblical character training and gave scripture on what the bible says about diligence and laziness. Ouch! I found out quickly I was a lot more like a slug than an ant. Hmmm? Let me look at that scripture again.
Proverbs 6:6-10
“6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. 7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,"
God's timing is always perfect. But I live in an imperfect world! I find myself in constant need of reminders of where to look to live this life in a way that brings honor to my Savior Jesus. I love nature and love that God is telling me to take a look at the ant. It was important to meditate on this passage as the reason for the phone call was to invite me to expound on it with my friend in a televised bible study. But I also needed the reminder of so many of the lessons that the tiny humble ant wanted to show me. I love that the ant is a “Her” because let's face it, we ladies are constantly running around after bread...maybe that's just me? After really praying through this passage verse 7 kept tugging at me, “Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares....” This dovetailed into a podcast I had listened to about showing up for yourself. Then on the day of the bible study I arrived at the church greeted by the cutest birthday gal who was celebrating her 60th birthday that very day. She had on a colorful “hippy” outfit and was offering food and love beads. She had planned for herself the cutest celebration. Her co-workers certainly pitched in, placing decorations as instructed by her. But I was struck by the fact that she didn't expect anyone else to do this for her – she made it happen. How often have I waited on others to do for me that which I know (deep down) to do for myself? Hurt feelings ensue because I placed expectations on others to fill a role meant for me. I can look to the way Christ conducted himself while He was here on this earth. He walked about doing the work of His Father. Period. He didn't wait around wondering what he should do or procrastinating (I am a pro in this department). The ant is hardwired by our loving Creator to do her job without deviation. We too have been designed to worship and serve God but we, unlike the ant, do have a choice. Herein lies the rub. But I can choose right now today to show up for myself and, like the ant, not wait to be told what I need to do. Now, delegating is a beautiful thing. I do not mean that we are supposed to run ourselves into the ground doing everything. But for me, if I am waiting to be told to do the right thing or wishing someone else would do a job God has assigned to me, then I need to “Go to the ant...”!!
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