As Christians, we have a responsibility to seek knowledge and wisdom from two sources – the Bible and nature. Unfortunately, some people only study one of these sources and ignore the other. However, the Bible encourages us to study both and to consider them as volumes.
In this article, we will examine the lesson of Proverbs 6:6, which directs us to the ant and encourages us to consider its ways and be wise.
The ant is a symbol of diligence and industry, and there are important lessons that we can learn from it.
Your Feeble Power is No Excuse for Indolence
The ant is a small and feeble creature, but it possesses an incredible work ethic. Naturalists have observed its ingenuity as an architect and its industry as a builder and miner.
As Christians, we must remember that all power, no matter how feeble, is given for work. We are not required to do more than we have power to accomplish, but all power increases through use. Therefore, we should not use our perceived weakness as an excuse for our indolence.
The Activity of Others is No Excuse for Indolence
In the ant-world, millions of inhabitants work tirelessly. Not one is idle, and none depend on others to do their work. In the Christian world, we are all actors in the grand scheme of things, but we cannot rely on others to do our work.
We must take responsibility for our own actions and work diligently towards our goals. We should not use the activity of others as an excuse for our own idleness.
The Absence of Assistance is Not a Justification for Laziness.
Every ant is independent and self-sufficient, relying solely on its own instincts and abilities without seeking direction or guidance from others.
As Christians, we must also learn to trust our own instincts by acting in faith and not by sight. Faith in action is very important. because faith without work is dead.
We should not wait for others to guide us or help us. Instead, we should use the light we have and look to God for help.
Similar to how each ant is thrown upon its own resources, we must also learn to trust ourselves and our abilities. As Christians, we have the added support of looking to God for help and guidance.
The Providence of God is No Excuse for Indolence
God provides for His creatures through the use of their own powers. He does not do for any creature what He has given that creature power to do for himself. Like the ants, we have a future and must prepare for it.
We have a specific time in which to make preparation, and we should not use the providence of God as an excuse for our indolence.
God has given us abundant resources, but only if we use our abilities in the correct way will we receive these provisions.
Those who are good will receive an inheritance, but only if they work for it. Knowledge is like a heavenly place, but only students can access it. Diligent farmers will reap a harvest of happiness. Our time to harvest will end soon, so it’s crucial to use the time we have wisely.
The Foresight and Diligence of the Ant
The ability to remember the lessons of the past, given to us by God, is more crucial in life than having precise knowledge of the future.
However, we often act as if we were familiar with the future, despite our lack of knowledge. Our confidence in the continuity of life encourages us to procrastinate and neglect our responsibilities.
However, the ant is an example of foresight and diligence. It knows that it has a specific time in which to prepare for the future and does not waste any time.
God has given us the power of foresight, but it is limited. We cannot know the future with certainty, but we can prepare for it.
We must use our limited foresight to plan for the future and make decisions that will lead to positive outcomes.
One way to prepare for the future is to set goals and make plans to achieve them. By setting goals, we give ourselves something to work towards, and we can measure our progress along the way. We can also adjust our plans as necessary based on changes in circumstances or new information that becomes available.
Another way to prepare for the future is to learn new skills and knowledge. The world is constantly changing, and it’s important to keep up with new developments and trends. By learning new skills and knowledge, we can adapt to changing circumstances and take advantage of new opportunities.
We must also be mindful of our actions and how they impact the future. Our choices have consequences, and we must be responsible for the impact they have on the world around us.
We should strive to make choices that have positive outcomes for ourselves and others, and that contribute to a better future for everyone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while we cannot predict the future with certainty, we can prepare for it by setting goals, learning new skills and knowledge, and making responsible choices. By doing so, we can create a better future for ourselves and for future generations.
