Watching Ants

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise" (Proverbs 6:6)!

Every time I read or hear the word "sluggard" memories of that snail-like creature crawling on my patio leaving slick trails of slime. I hope God doesn't see me as a slug.  Ever wonder why God makes such creatures? Today while taking a break from my homework and sunning myself, finally a little sun, maybe I can stop building the ark for the rain has subsided and now I am teased by a sunny day, and taking advantage of this sunny day I noticed a little tiny ant-like creature running to and fro on my patio. Thankfully this creature wasn't leaving a slimy trail. First he went this way, then next that way, moving rather fast.  I wondered what the speed of this creature. I tried to calculate it in my head, that is what happens when your brain is fried after so much study you think of stupid things like, how fast is this creature moving. I couldn't keep my eyes off of him, wondering, does this creature have a plan, you gotta have a plan, right? Does this creature know where it is going? Wonder what a tiny creature eats and what about water? You can tell, I have a bit too much time, or is it the sun on my hands.  Soon it disappeared from sight and my excursion in thought over this world that creature lives in my mind turned to greater things, i.e., the ant.

Who taught the ant to work so hard? How do they know how to dig into the earth? Do they take vacations? Oh! Oh! there goes my mind again! I noticed two things in particular: (1) I had great interest in that little creature running all over my patio; spent some time marveling over the magnificence of such a creature; (2) That creature never once stopped and leaned back on its hind legs and look up at me and thought; that is a magnificent creature looking at my. Oh the wonders of the creator, my God.  Humpf!

God gave to us the ability to fully appreciate all of His creation. We alone have the privilege of knowing the creator in a way no other creature can know. When God looked at all He had created and said that it was "Good" he saw all of His creation. We see some! In God's providence He made us so that we can appreciate and know Him through His creation bringing us to desire to know more about Him.  Therefore, when Paul in Romans makes that statement that we are without excuse we can know that it is true: "for since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" (Romans 2:20). 

Take time today, look around and marvel at our God who created all that is just so that He could place us, His highest creation, and know Him.  Furthermore, when we failed, He sent His Son, Jesus, to redeem us and restore us to what He intended for mankind.  Give Him praise for He truly deserves our praise and obedience. (if you have nothing to do go watch your patio, you never know what might creep up and show off God).

Daily Prayer:

Father, how do we thank you for creating us and all the world we live in? It is by obedience to You that shows our love towards You.  You gave it all, just for us, to restore us, and give us eternal life. I give you praise and humbly come before you to seek forgiveness where I have failed to recognize You and the justice of Your righteous standards that protect us from evil things and from the evil one.           Amen