Lesson from the Ants

19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9: 19-24

My favorite place to write in the summer is sitting in my old chair outside in the back patio.  From that spot, I can take a break and look up to see my two sons playing in the care-free summer afternoons.  I can also see the multitude of ants (to my husband’s dismay) that walk about the concrete floor in defiance of Dan’s constant attack on them.  No matter what that man tries, the ants don’t stop their march.  They are relentless (and so is heJ )

The ants, however, make me think of perseverance.  They are not deterred by anything.  I have to give them credit.  They sure are the poster child for the “never give up” slogan.  I wonder if they ever think of quitting?  As they march on, carrying their tiny piece of food on their backs, I wonder if they are aware of their contribution to the colony?  I wonder if they realize that the small crumb they so faithfully transport on their backs will mean survival during the harsh winter months to come?  I wonder if they comprehend the importance of that seemingly insignificant crumb they carry, through the battlefield of our patio, to the rest of his brothers and sisters?

As a Christian blogger I’d like to learn from these ants.  I’d like to learn the meaning of perseverance and to never quit.  I’d like to absorb their resolve in the midst of adversity and join Paul when in his call in Galatians 6:9 when he says:  And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Even if I don’t see the fruit of my work and perseverance, I won’t give up.  Even if I only have a hand-full of followers in my blog, I won’t give up. Even if My page-view and other statistics are low, I won’t give up.  Even if I never get any RTs or #FFs, I won’t give up for I blog for Him.  It is His ministry and my call is to do it.  He will do the rest.  He will do with it and take it to whatever hights He desires and He plans.  Even if I reach just one person for Him, it will be worth it.  The funny thing is that sometimes that one person that gets touched is me.  Yes, sometimes the Lord’s purpose is to reach into my very own heart and touch me through the time I spend with Him, meditating on His Word as I type away on this electronic pages that no one else might see.  Sometimes that is His purpose for my effort, so I cannot give up.  As long as I am reaching at least one, I must go on, and I know there is always one, even if it is just the one in front of the screen.

I will continue to carry my little crumb around for I know who I carry it for.  I know that even though it is a very small crumb it is the crumb that has been assigned to me and I must carry it with dignity and a sense of accomplishment. 

Insignificant in the eyes of the world, perhaps so, but not in the eyes of My Lord.