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Ants are annoying little creatures.

Sugar ants march single file through picnic areas and wherever crumbs are to be found. My mom even found ants marching into her freezer. None escaped.

One Christmas when we opened a gift box under the tree (not aware of the contents) we were disappointed that the ants had left us only a few sweet morsels. 

In Africa, we were amazed at the big towers built by white ants (termites). One contingent came up through the concrete floor of our house and began to construct a spire. We let them figure out how long to labor before abandoning their tower to nowhere.

We were well aware of the siafu in Africa. Safari ants can clean the inside of a house in two days. They invaded my VW beetle, stored up on blocks while I was on leave in the U.S. I can’t imagine what made the plastic molding around all the windows so tasty.

A dignitary, on a visit to our secondary school, stood with the headmistress near the office. Suddenly he began to dance and in seconds had removed his trousers. Pinching ants had crawled up his legs and the poor man got the full brunt of their appetites.

In Texas, we are in a constant battle against the red fire ants whose mounds pop up everywhere. An ant bite stings like fire for days after.  

Ants are captivating little creatures. What child is not drawn to its ways? How often even as adults have we watched and poked and been intrigued by ants ability to carry loads much heavier and larger than their own bodies, tirelessly doing their part to benefit the colony? 

In Africa, fried termites are a popular street food. At the beginning of the rainy season, when the ants began to swarm, we loved watching our dog catch them mid-air. 

The ant is God’s tiny hero.

All of us, at times, have been slack in our duties and consideration of others. To get our attention God stings us with a rebuke from one of God’s seemingly insignificant creatures.

Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

The Bible calls us sluggards compared to the ant and commands us to look to it as an example. The ant knows its job and does it until it is finished. It is not distracted, whether building a nest or gathering food. It does not need any other ant to watch over or tell it what to do to make sure the work is done and done right. It cooperates with other ants to accomplish big tasks.

A parting thought

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Job 12:7-8

God has left evidence of his intricate design, even in the tiniest creatures. Only a rebellious heart would deny him as creator and refuse his offer of redemption through Jesus Christ.