Don’t Get Spiritually Lazy This Summer… Learning from the Ants

We are well into summer. Exams are over, the days are long and the heat can become unbearable. The temptation to become spiritually lazy becomes strong and some give in: slow down a bit, pray less, give in to self-indulgence … then try and catch up again in winter.

However any break that is a break from God and living in His grace can only be harmful to us. Rather than let our guards down, summer should serve as a time where we seek the Lord even more.

The Word of God therefore points us to an unexpected place to learn the lesson:

“Go to the ant, you who are lazy.  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”
Prov 6:6-8

“Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer”
Prov 30:24,25

If you carefully watch an ant gathering food you will quickly realise that they don’t easily give up, no matter how many obstacles they face. They will climb over them, under them and if needs be change direction as they set about in a determined way to fulfil their task. They ‘think winter all summer’ because they know it will not last for ever. They are indeed wise.

This is how we should be in our pursuit of God who is love and truth and who is found by those who seek Him continuously:

When you search for me, you will find me; when you search wholeheartedly for me,  I shall let you find me
Jer 29:13,14

So this simple lesson from the ants is ‘Don’t get spiritually lazy this Summer’ because we will reap what we sow!

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up
Galatians 6:7-9