Bishop Keith Butler
Feb 27
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-8)
Go to the ant? That’s an odd statement. Usually, we avoid ants. If we find them in our kitchen or near our picnic when we are outside, we kill them, get away from them, and do all we can to block the little creatures from our homes. However, Proverbs 6 tells us that there is a lot that we can glean from these tiny creatures.
The ant is a self-starter. Once they have a task, they don’t need someone standing over their shoulder to ensure that the task assigned to them is getting done. They step out and see what needs to happen and then do it. You could say that the ant is industrious. For employers and leaders, having self-starters on your team is extremely important. I am an employer and I love it when people on my team don’t have to be told to do something that is needed; they just step out and take care of it. Not only that, but the ant also diligently provides its sustenance in the summer and gathers food in the harvest. They are smart enough to work on having savings. They do not want to get caught off guard and not have enough during difficult times.
The book of wisdom tells me and you to go to the ant and gain her wisdom. Whether it is in our personal or professional lives, we need to be diligent, proactive, and self-starters, and willing to do what needs to be done without being asked.
Think about ways you can help create a culture of self-starters within your team or organization. Also, take time to think about your work ethic. Are you like the ant and take initiative and plans for the future? If not, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in what you need to do to prepare, plan, and pursue purpose.