Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
Ants are tenacious creatures. They live in colonies and are mainly characterized by their sociability, communication, and cooperation. Within a colony, ants perform different roles according to their caste. The queen rules, the worker ants build and toil for food, and the soldier ants protect the colony. Each ant carries out their role like a well-trained and disciplined soldier. Despite their built-in expertise to perform their specific function, no ant says to the other, “I don’t need you.” The survival of the colony depends on each one doing their part. And despite having a negligible number of brain cells, ants are cited as the most intelligent insects in existence.
Little wonder, the writer of Proverbs presents the ant as our teacher. He says, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!” The ant colony is a great metaphor for human organizations. The health and survival of any organization depends on everyone doing their part diligently. It depends on collaboration and cooperation. Within organizations, God calls us to different types of roles, and he expects us to do excellent work for his glory. Half-hearted work, dishonors God. No role is more important than the other. All roles are essential. One cannot say to the other, “I don’t need you.” Therefore, regardless of the organization’s structure, or our boss’ or colleagues’ actions or temperaments, God is our ultimate authority, and one way we honor him is by doing our job with integrity.
We live in an era where terms like “quiet quitting,” and “the great resignation” have become acceptable and commonplace. Employers are struggling to find good and reliable employees. This is a great opportunity for people of faith to be a light to the world. We can be different in this work environment, because, like the apostle Paul, we “can do all things through him (Christ) who gives us strength” (Philippians 4:13). We can be an example to the world, by behaving the way ants do; at a minimum by doing our jobs as though our organization’s survival depends on it, because in truth, it does. Our work should not just be about receiving a paycheck, our work should be a symphony of gratitude and worship to God and a testimony to the world, of what makes us different.
So, wherever God has invited you to serve, in the office, or in a home, offer your finest effort for our survival and for his glory, and may he show you favor as you work diligently and with integrity (Mark 4:24; Colossians 3: 23-24; 1 Peter 5:4; Psalm 75:6). AMEN.