ANT University

READ
Proverbs 6:6-8, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; 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."

THINK
At first glance, we may not seem to have much in common, but believe it or not, humans and ants share a very important quality — we’re both wired for work! Isn’t it funny that with our acumen and intelligence, we’re the ones getting a very pointed lesson in today’s verse — not the tiny insects with no mindfulness or logic? Although it seems kind of funny, we can’t knock their work ethic!

But perhaps because God gives us the freedom of choice, and because well — we are human — it’s in our nature to get a little lazy in various areas of life.

And if we aren’t careful, we can easily slip and slide on the slime of sluggishness and forget that work is, in fact, a gift from God! So, get out your number 2 pencil and notebook because it’s time to enroll at ANT- U, where in today’s reading, God illustrates this core lesson with the hard-working, self-starting ant. Let’s look at two lessons we can learn from this inspiring insect:

Ants take initiative. Ants don’t wait for others to motivate them. They don’t set the snooze button or wait for wake-up calls. They get the job done without prompting. QUESTION: Are you waiting for others to push you into action? If so, it’s time to step up and take initiative!

Ants are prepared. They work smarter, not harder. They are task-oriented and keep their eyes forward and their heads in the game. We, too, should do what we have to do first, the most important tasks, to be free to do what we want to do later!

Welcome to ANT-U! Apply what you’ve learned, and you’ll be well on your way to working the way God wired you to work. Then, you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor with a satisfied heart and smile on your face! You are well on your way to experiencing the satisfaction of working the way God has wired you.

PRAY
God, Thank You for wiring me to work and showing me that it is truly a gift. Please continue to nudge me when I get lazy and procrastinate or rely too heavily on the promptings of others to get the job done. Guide my priorities and help me take initiative. In Jesus’ name, Amen.