I hate ants

I’ve never liked ants. I have a horrific memory of sitting around the campfire at a Christian summer camp and my legs being attacked by fire ants. I had welts on my legs for weeks so ever since then I’ve never liked them. I also don't fully understand the meaning of why they exist. What do they actually do except create huge piles that you accidentally step in? I haven't done any deep research on ants so if you know why God created them please let me know.  

Now that I’ve expressed my dislike of ants, I was reading my bible this morning and was in Proverbs 6. I know you are wondering what ants have to do with the bible but just hang in there. So as I was reading this chapter I got to verse 6 and was confused but fascinated all at the same time. Proverbs 6:6-8 reads: 

“Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.” 

I read this thinking, “why in the world would God want us to learn from ants?” “Why not a mighty animal like a lion?” I sat there for a little bit reading the verse over and over when God gave me a humbling lightbulb moment…I really needed to take a lesson from the ants.

It wasn't until I was 18 years old that I really pursued a personal relationship with God. One that was just for us, no one else. I struggled through high school really devoting myself to Him because I was afraid what people would think of me. I didn't want to be labeled a “Jesus freak” (even though I am proudly one now). But when I was 18 something clicked. I discovered that I could really have my own journey with my Father. I didn't have to go to Him trying to sound perfect. I didn't have to go to Him with my life figured out. I could simply cry out to Him, and some days that meant literally crying. 

The reason this verse about the ants hit me so hard was because I’m not always hardworking in my relationship with God like the ants are at building ant hills. Sometimes I just don't feel like praying or reading my bible and then before I know it a week has passed by and I have totally neglected Him. 

That’s the difference between humans and ants. Ants don't have days they just don't feel like making an ant hill or don't feel like gathering food. Why? Because if they don't do those things their ant community will fail.   

I’ve told y'all before I’m not a theologian, but I really feel like we need to model our spiritual lives after the ants. Just think about it, if we were as hardworking and consistent in our relationship with God as ants are in their work we would probably be a lot closer with our Father. Ants are not only hardworking and consistent, but they persevere through all seasons. They are not quick to give up because they've got a whole colony depending on them.

That’s how God wants us to be in our relationship with Him. Through all seasons. Persevering through the heartache life brings, continuing to go to Him in prayer and just talking with Him. 

I’m not saying that if you don't have your time with God everyday, your relationship with Him will fail. That’s the difference between us and ants is that we have a God that shows unending grace and mercy on us every single day. If you don't go to Him everyday, He will still love you. If you don't have a chance to read your bible that day, He will still love you. But, He so desperately wants His children to speak to Him. He loves us more that we will ever know and just wants us to give it all to Him. So take a lesson from the ants and put all you have into your relationship with your Father. Cry out to Him in times of sadness, and laugh with Him in times of joy. He will always be there waiting for you.