A Lesson From The Ants

Memory Verse: "While ants are hardly a strong species, they work constantly to store up food during the summer." (Prov.30:25, VOICE, Emphasis mine)

Scripture Reading: Prov.6:6-11.

Often times when I hear the phrase, 'Small but mighty', the ants quickly come to my mind.

Ants are pretty small, but smart. They work constantly during summer in preparation for the next season.

I read a story about the ant and the grasshopper and I'm going to share it with us this morning.

In summertime, the ant is busy working, gathering food while the grasshopper plays. Then winter sets in, the ant retires to its home and enjoys life. He paid the price, now he can enjoy the reward. I wish the story says same for the grasshopper. The table turned. The grasshopper starves in the cold because he didn't understand that the only adequate preparation for tomorrow is the wise and effective use of today.

Think about the time you had to sit for an examination you were very much prepared for. You walked into the hall with so much confidence because you knew you'd ace it.

Let's bring this home.

Do you know it is very possible to bring this same confidence to your everyday life? I wish we would all get this.

But sadly, like the grasshopper in today's story, many of us don't lead our lives, we accept them! We sleep and play when we're supposed to be working only to realise that the next season is here and we're unprepared for the new season.

It's important we understand that life is not a dress rehearsal. We don't get a second chance. The secret of success in life is to be ready when the time comes.

Some of us have intimidating prayer lives but the question is: "If God gave you everything you're praying for right now in the various department of your life, would you be ready to handle it? Think about that for a minute.

Nothing great is created suddenly; nobody succeeds by accident. Personally, I believe that the distinguishing factor between success and failure is that: one may fail without knowing but you cannot be on the path of success and not know. Attaining success is deliberate and preparation (all-round preparation) is key.

The journey to success and failure is a process. 

But if we can understand that Friday is a preparation for Saturday (as simple as that sounds), it will help us take Friday seriously so we can have a beautiful Saturday.

Therefore, let's learn a lesson on the subject of preparation from the Ants (PS: Please sit with the text for our Scripture Reading today). It will help us a whole lot.

So the next and final questions for today on this particular subject include: 'What are you preparing for?' 'How are you preparing for it?' 'Are you grooming yourself for success or failure in these areas of your life?'

The answers to these questions are evident in the way and manner you live your day-to-day life. Check yourself and make the necessary adjustments. 

Now is the time to plan and prepare for the next season of your life because you don't know when the next season will be ushered in. Quoting Bishop David Oyedepo, 'You are absolutely responsible for the outcome of your life.' 

Ponder Point: If you are willing to work hard on the front end, you will reap rewards on the back end.

Action Point: Plan. Prepare. Stay prepared at all times.

Prayer Point: Father, grant me the wisdom to plan with my mind and the discipline to work with my hands in Jesus name, Amen.