As Industrious as Ants - Martin Wiles

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Proverbs 6:6 NLT

Although only a block away, my son refused to walk to it.

The year my son began high school, we moved to a rented home just across the street from the school. All he had to do was walk out the front door, cross the road, and immediately be on the school grounds. I thought, This will be convenient. I didn’t know my son as well as I thought.

He’s a hard worker now but wasn’t the most industrious person then. He didn’t care to walk. “I’d rather ride the bus,” he said. And he did.

Instead of walking a block, he boarded the bus at six a.m. Neither did he care to walk home. He rode the bus again and did not get home until five p.m. In my mind, this was the epitome of laziness. Why would one want to be gone from the house for eleven hours when it only had to be seven? Had he walked home, he could have had his homework completed earlier. And had he walked to school, he could have slept for another hour. Perhaps he was trying to make some unknown teenage point to me.

I’ve never observed a lazy ant. I wouldn’t have to spend untold dollars on ant poison if they were. Ants are continually working, gathering food, and building mounds.

My parents weren’t lazy and forbade me to be. From an early age, they assigned me chores. As a result, I became an industrious adult and passed along the same lessons to my two children—although it took a little longer to stick in at least one of them.

As my son fondly says, “Dad, I tried so hard not to be like you, but it happened anyway.” I just smile.

But God’s work has no room for laziness. Jesus says the harvest is plentiful. Millions need to hear about Jesus and see his love demonstrated through acts of service. God has given us the task and ability to change the world—actually, turning it upside down by permeating it with God’s kind of love. Time is slipping away, the needs are urgent, and laziness won’t accomplish the task. Don’t take the bus if God’s work for you is just across the road. Walk the block.

What are some ways you can be as industrious as ants?

Father, give me the desire to be eager to do your Kingdom’s work. 

Tweetable: Are you as busy as an ant? 

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Why I’m Here - Martin Wiles

Should I pray, “Father, save me from what lies ahead?” But that is the very reason why I came. John 12:27 NLT

Our reason for existence sometimes takes time to discover. 

As a child, staying with my paternal grandparents was second nature. When I was pre-school age, my grandmother was my babysitter. I rode with her in her 1930’s green Chevy and helped her ring doorbells—though I never heard her say, “Avon calling.” 

One day, now as a middle school aged child, while reclining on the bed beside my grandmother, I confessed: “I think God wants me to be a Bible teacher.” I had accepted Christ several years prior and was now considering the question of why I had been placed on earth. Though it took cascading through some years of rebellion, I finally succumbed to God’s will. I’ve been a Bible teacher and a pastor. God’s plan for me has changed and developed, but I’m still reminded of that moment when I discovered why God placed me here. 

Though God, Jesus was also human and, like everyone, had to discover why He was here. When the Father revealed that, I’m not sure, but He did. As Jesus thought of the cross, He was repulsed, but He knew it was why He was here. 

Above all else, I’m here to glorify God. He created me, and each one of my thoughts and actions should reflect Him to others by their purity and holiness. Jesus said we should let our lights shine so that others can see Him through us and glorify the Father in heaven. 

I’m here to serve God. Beyond loving Him with my entire being—which Jesus said was the greatest commandment, I’m to love and serve others. Jesus even went so far as to say that’s how we serve Him. Sharing God is vital to my walk with Him. I share by telling why Jesus was here, by showing the difference He can make in a person’s life, and by giving myself to Him and others. 

I’m here to allow God to form me into Christ’s image. Sometimes I don’t enjoy the avenues He chooses to do that, but bucking Him won’t yield the results He wants. Submission and obedience—regardless of His effort’s intensity, will. 

When we live out the reason God put us here, we’ll enjoy life and live it fully. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for creating us with purpose. Guide us to live out Your plan for our lives. 

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As Industrious as Ants - Martin Wiles

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Proverbs 6:6 NLT

Though only a block away, it was too far for him to walk. 

The year my son began high school, we moved to a rented home just across the street. All he had to do was walk out the front door, cross the road, and immediately he would be on the school grounds. I thought, This will be convenient. I didn’t know my son. Although a hard worker now, he wasn’t the most industrious person then. He didn’t care to walk. I’d rather ride the bus, he said. And he did. Instead of walking a block, he chose to board the bus at 6 a.m. 

Neither did he care to walk home. He chose to ride the bus again and not get home until 5 p. m. In my mind, it was the epitome of laziness. Why would one want to be gone from the house for 11 hours when it only had to be seven? Had he walked home, he could have had his homework completed earlier. And had he walked to school, he could have slept for another hour. 

I’ve never observed a lazy ant. Had they been, my yard would not have been infested, I wouldn’t have gotten stung, and I wouldn’t have had to spend untold dollars on ant poison. Ants are continually working…gathering food…building mounds. 

My parents weren’t lazy and didn’t allow me to be. From an early age, I was given chores. As a result, I became an industrious adult and passed along the same lessons to my two children—though it took a while for them to stick in at least one of them. 

God’s work has no room for laziness. Jesus says the harvest is plentiful. There are millions who need to hear about Him and millions more who need a closer and more serious walk with Him. God has given believers the task of changing the world…of actually turning it upside down by permeating it with a different kind of love—His love. Time is slipping away. His coming is nearer than it was. The need is urgent. Laziness won’t accomplish the task. 

If God’s work for you is just across the road, don’t take the bus. Walk the block. 

Prayer: Father, give us the desire to be eager to do Your Kingdom’s work.

Looking for a wide selection of genres in Christian books at discount prices? Use coupon MWiles for 20% off. Click here to see selections.  

Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Help us spread God's encouragement through his love lines.