May 12, 2009

Ants

Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!

Yesterday I was talking to Beth and somehow we got on the subject of ants. I made a comment that never had I seen ants eat through plastics and other materials like the ones in the Philippines did. Solomon, a very wise man said we can learn from them so after our talk I decided to do a little research. Here are some interesting statistics.

·        Ants are the strongest creature in relation to their size. They are able to lift as much as 50 times their body weight

·        The largest are more than 1 inch long, the smallest less than 1/10 of a centimeter

·        Ants make up more than 10% of the earths’ biomass (total living tissue by total volume) with a combined weight greater than all the people on the earth

·        Ants are the longest living insect. Workers, on the average, live about one year. In some species they can live for four to five years. Some queens live longer than 20 years.

·        Ants modify their environment. They regulate the temperature and humidity within their nests. They control airflow through their nests. They build mounds. They clear pathways.

·        Most ants are beneficial to us because they and other insects, serve as a link in the food chain, and aerate the soil.

Interesting stuff, if you are into insects or trivia, but what does it have to do with our faith?

We generally don't think much about ants, unless they are infesting our homes, or bothering us during our picnics. The work done by any individual ant seems pretty insignificant in the overall scheme of things, yet their combined efforts are so important, that without them all of the earth's land based ecosystems would collapse.

It can be like that for Christians. We often wonder what good our little bit does. The world is full of hatred and evil, and most people still don't know Jesus. So why even bother?

The truth is that like ants, while many of our actions may seem insignificant to us, their combined effort makes an enormous difference.

One of my favorite verses when I'm feeling discouraged about the impact of my work for Jesus is:

1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Don't give up. The little seemingly insignificant things you do, a smile, a caring word, a listening ear, handing out a tract, sharing our faith, inviting a friend to worship, when combined have an impact capable of transforming the entire world.

Until next time, keep it up, God promises that it is not in vain. Do your part because NOONE can do it like you and that is where God needs you to be!

Doing my part to coincide with your part,

Darrel Mason

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