By Vebu Khamo
God commands the slothful to study myrmecology. Myrmecology is the study of ants. Ants are tiny and insignificant. They have zero weight. Nobody notices a dead ant and grieve over it. Yet God speaks of them as possessing great value and calibre. What’s so significant about this insignificant ant? Let’s dig it together:
1. Community feelings: Ants do not work alone. They do not build their own palaces. They live together in colonies.They attack the enemies in group and pull down predators that are much bigger than them. The spirit of togetherness runs through their veins.
2. Hard-work: The secret to riches is found in ants. Everyone is well-provided and well-fed. An egalitarian society exists among these tiny insects. They’re always on the Go. Nobody is wasting time sitting idly. No wonder, no beggar is seeing begging in their community!
3. Fearless: Ants can pull objects 50 times their body weight. They do not cower to the challenges that come their way. They believe this maxim, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
3. Perseverance: Ants never quit. They strain every nerve to achieve their purpose and given task.
4. Optimistic: In summer, they think about the winter. In winter, they think about summer. This winter days won’t last long. Summer will come and we will work and gather food again. They chant and sing all along.
5. Encourager: Ants do encourage one another. Ants touch one another as they pass through one another. Encouragement to their fellow ant-beings to never give up provides them the strength to carry on theirdaily errand.
6.Discipline: There’s no ant-police or ant-detectives to catch ant-robber. They maintain order and regulation on their own will. They mind their own business and do not meddle into others. Thereby, there’s no chaos or confusion among them.
7. Contentment: Ants do not go about envying over other’s property or provisions. They’re satisfied and content in life. They live happily!
8. Caring: If an ant is hurt, 10-20 companies of ant will lead the procession to take care of the victim. The character of kindness is embedded in their soul.
9. Equality: Studies say that male ants render works for the survival of the colony. While the queen ants live longer to produce more eggs.
10. Beneficial: Ants work behind the scenes, so that the benefits to us are not directly known. They work the soil for their whole life to make it healthier and provide necessary nutrients to the plants for survival. Ants live their whole lives for the welfare of others.
Epilogue
It is no wonder God spoke in Proverbs 6:6 to go to the ants and consider its ways and be wise!