Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! (Proverbs 6:6)
A spindly ant arrests a worm from destroying a farmer’s corn. As he carries the parasite away, the ant’s fuzzy legs transfer pollen to waiting silks. On the journey home, he cordially rubs antennae with a brother carrying a seed to a new place of germination. Our little friend places his worm deep inside tunnels that aerate the soil.
All said, ants are more civilized, more industrious, and more beneficial to the earth than humans. In many places they outweigh us in biomass. Yet, in our pride, we disregard the ant as a nuisance, while thinking our existence is essential.
If we could ask an ant his secret he’d say, “You humans rush over the outer shell and never get to the sweet nut of life. Slow down and discover God.”
In my quiet time this morning I experimented with the ant’s advice. I landed in the basic verses of Romans 5 about peace with God. I’ve read this passage so many times, my eyes tried to jump to what was next. Heeding the ant, I went back to process the words. The Holy Spirit sent fresh insights. I saw a deeper contrast between the dissension that once separated me from God and the peace I now enjoy in Christ.
We say we understand a concept like peace, and, because of the laziness of our minds, we shun further consideration. Our brains are restless organs that require discipline into a fuller understanding of familiar truth. The ant’s wisdom gives the Holy Spirit an opportunity to take us beyond our intellect and into true spiritual knowledge.
I can hear the ant now, his antennae twitching, “Let God sing miles of truth through millimeters of experience.”
Prayer: Lord, I repent of boisterous living. Grant me a quiet, attentive heart