Of Bugs and Men

Do you remember that story about the ant and the grasshopper? The ant busied himself all summer gathering food, while the grasshopper fiddled his days away. Winter came and the grasshopper had nothing to eat, while the ant snug in his hill waited for winter to pass.

I am amazed by the observational powers of the ancients. They took time to look, listen, and learn. At least, some of them sought to make something out of their observations. They weren't content to see or hear something, and then go their way. They pondered the meaning of what they saw and heard. They then sought to apply this new knowledge in ways that would enrich their lives and the lives of others.

I believe it was Aesop who told the tale of the Ant and the Grasshopper. The story is rooted in the observations that ants work hard, while grasshoppers sit around making noise and destroying vegetation. Another ancient, Solomon, observed the work ethic of ants. He used the ant as a teaching tool.

He said, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise" (Prov. 6:6, ESV). Then he goes on to explain what we can learn from the ant. He states, "Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest" (Prov. 6:7-8, ESV). There are several principles which can be drawn from these verses.

1. Be a self-starter. Ant may serve a queen, but they don't need someone driving them with a whip. The colony needs food, and it must be gathered in. Ants just do what they need to do.

2. Work when it is appropriate. There is a time for work and a time for play. Procrastination is trap that strips life of its joy and purpose.

3. Don't fear hard work. Work isn't a bad thing. When we treat it as a demoralizing act, we fail to see work correctly. Work is a reflection of God's nature. He is the Creator, Sustainer, Provider, etc. All of these title describe some type of work.

4. Work satisfies our cravings. When we work, we are able to get the things we need and want. We may not get as much as we want or all that we want, but hard workers, generally, get what they need.

Solomon urged his reader to consider the ant. Are you like the ant? I'm beginning to fear I more like the grasshopper. I look at all the "busyness" in my life, but wonder where the productivity is. I seem to be always in motion, but I never have anything to show for it.

The good news is that in Christ there is hope. There is time to correct course. If you (or I) have played the grasshopper, we can still consider the ant. We can do all things through Christ who is our strength. These truths apply to both our physical and spiritual life. The discipline that is necessary to succeed in the workplace is necessary to succeed in spiritual development. Friend, look to the ant and be wise.