Learning from neglected teachers – Part 2

As we saw last week, ants generally, do not work in isolation. They do not hinder, but help one another; they do not contradict but assist themselves; they do not oppose but support each other. They realised rather compellingly that there is a limit to what one can do alone. Similarly, it is when we unite, fellowship together, respect one another and value the contribution of every member, that we are able to achieve much. There’s strength, power and productivity in unity.

Alone, an ant is insignificant and insufficient, but together, they erect storehouses and storey-buildings (anthills) to live in. Without unity, their littleness and feebleness could hinder their progress, stop their productivity and provision, and prevent their being preserved. So, networking helps us overcome obstacles. Like them, you should, one, anticipate a glorious future and work hard for it. Two, assist and cooperate with others to work as a TEAM, because Together Everybody Achieves More. If you are alone by yourself, you will not realise your maximum potential and achieve peak performance.

Thirdly, acknowledge your feebleness; do not see yourself as one who can do everything. Fourthly, attend to duty without faultfinding, do not expend your energy criticising other people. Fifthly, abstain from frivolities; think of essential, eternal things and exert your energy on them. Six, advance towards your future; avoid the temptation of remaining welded to past success or failure.

The secret of success, when there is apparent lack of much talent, ability or strength, is tenacity or persistence. Though the army of Gideon was small, they stuck to what they did and won. This reveals that one, there is no excuse for failure; two, no exemption from faithfulness; and three, no entanglement with fleeting fancies. The only thing that should interest us is the work the Lord has given us to do. Tenacity is pivotal to achievement. It means keeping at what is being done in spite of apparent weaknesses or challenges.

Tenacity brings about achievement, only when there is doggedness with discipline, diligence without despair, decision with determination, deafness to distractions and dedication until death.

Although ants are small, they have a strategy against famine. There is a famine of the word of God in most places of worship today. All the teachings we receive are strategies against this famine. Learning and studying the Word today is also a strategy of preparing for the future generation, so that children who come after us will not be spiritually famished. The ants prepare adequately before winter or the rainy season.

Our own year of winter is fast approaching. Are you making all necessary preparation for rapture and heaven? Now is the time to get saved, sanctified and win souls, so as not to be empty-handed before the Lord, when He comes. Are you as wise as the ants, whose activities are not occasional? The great work of winning souls and preparing saints for heaven must not be done occasionally, or only during holiday or spare time, but every day.

Thus, we learn from these neglected teachers that there must be preparation for the future, perseverance and fortitude, progress without fainting, perception with foresight and preparedness of the faithful for success in anything we do. Learn from the ants!Further Reading (King James Version): Proverbs 6:6-8; Deuteronomy 32:29; Proverbs 30:24,25; Proverbs 6:6-8; 30:24-26; Mark 2:3; Judges 8:4; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Nehemiah 4:2,10,14,15,21; Proverbs 6:6-8; Amos 8:11; John 9:4; Proverbs 30:24.