Wisdom #12

Look to the Ant (Proverbs 6:6-11)

As members of the Earth's ecosystem, our greatest advantage is our brain. The human brain's ability to process information and understand our world on multiple levels is amazing.  However, our greatest blessing can often times be a curse.  Relying on our brain power to solve our issues in life can and has resulted in some of humanity's greatest disasters and blunders.  This can and does bleed over into our spiritual lives as well.  We over think things so much sometimes that we never find the victory that God has for us. God, in His mercy, gave us many examples in life to help us recalibrate our minds and find success in our spiritual walk:

Provide Fruit in the Summer

The months leading up to summer can be a fruitful time in Israel.  Temperatures are moderate and the fruit on trees are ripening.  However, once summer comes, the fruit begins to dry up and the trees get picked clean.  Waiting to long in this case leaves one wanting in a time of discomfort and lack.  

When God is providing the blessings in a season of plenty, we must act and provide for ourselves. We don't know when that window of blessing might close, and we don't want to be left with nothing to sustain us in a time of lack.  Also, the term provide hear means establish.  Fruit is associated with the produce of God's Spirit working in us.  God is looking to produce some things in us now that will help us to be established in His Kingdom.  If we allow him to produce His fruit in us, we will thrive while others are failing.  In that situation, we can provide help and assistance. However, if we reject God's window of opportunity, we will have to strive until the next opportunity arises.

Gathering the Harvest

While fruit was for the here and now, the harvest was for the long-term. Pulling in the harvest was essential in Israel.  It not only provided for the coming winter, but it stored up for future years in the event of a long term famine.  One missed harvest may not effect Israel this winter, but it would effect them years and generations down the line.  

We cannot forgo the work that God has given us to do in His Kingdom.   We must till the community we live in and plant seeds of revival in the hearts of others as well as ourselves.  We must pray into situations in our lives and store up promises for down the road.  These actions and prayers may not have a profound effect now, but they will make the difference when troubles and trials come.  If not, we risk losing everything, maybe not this year or the next.  Maybe not this trial or the next.  But somewhere down the road.  

Commit to Consistency

The ant might not be the smartest creature, but its commitment to consistency shows us that we must continually do the work of God in our lives and the lives of others.  We must prepare for the here and now while also looking to store up for the seasons ahead.  If we do, we will be blessed.  If we don't we will fall short.

Activation:
Look in your life and community.  
Where can you be blessed/be a blessing in the here and now?
What can you do to start storing up for the future in the Kingdom?
Write your findings out and begin to pray over them that God would deliver them to you.