Pondering the Principles of Proverbs
Observe her ways and be wise,
Which, having no chief, officer or ruler,
Prepares her food in the summer
And gathers her provision in the harvest.
How long will you lie down, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
“A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest”--
Your poverty will come in like a vagabond
And your need like an armed man.
(Pro. 6:6-11)
Jesus chided the people of His day, because they had learned a lot from nature, but couldn't apply the learning process to higher things. (Lk. 12:54-56)
Paul writes that we should learn how to place the natural in juxtaposition with the spiritual. (1 Cor. 15:46)
Therefore, it would be a mark of wisdom to consider the ways of the ants and apply them to our own life.
I think I can do no better than one of my mentors, the late Jim Rohn:
Over the years I've been teaching children about a simple but powerful concept - the ant philosophy. I think everybody should study ants.
They have an amazing four-part philosophy, and here is the first part: ants never quit. That's a good philosophy. If they're headed somewhere and you try to stop them; they'll look for another way.
They'll climb over, they'll climb under, and they'll climb around. They keep looking for another way. What a neat philosophy, to never quit looking for a way to get where you're supposed to go.
Second, ants think winter all summer. That's an important perspective. You can't be so naive as to think summer will last forever. So ants are gathering in their winter food in the middle of summer.
An ancient story says, "Don't build your house on the sand in the summer." Why do we need that advice? Because it is important to be realistic. In the summer, you've got to think storm. You've got to think rocks as you enjoy the sand and sun. Think ahead.
The third part of the ant philosophy is that ants think summer all winter. That is so important. During the winter, ants remind themselves, "This won't last long; we'll soon be out of here." And the first warm day, the ants are out. If it turns cold again, they'll dive back down, but then they come out the first warm day. They can't wait to get out.
And here's the last part of the ant philosophy. How much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All he possibly can. What an incredible philosophy, the "all-you-possibly-can" philosophy.
Wow, what a great seminar to attend - the ant seminar. Never give up, look ahead, stay positive and do all you can.
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