While camping one partly cloudy Saturday morning, I was having coffee when my eyes were drawn to the line of tiny black ants that was busily making a trail along our weather-worn, blue outdoor rug. I watched as they scurried along with uninterrupted purpose and what appeared to be military sync. A classic song sprang into my mind.
“Just what makes that little old ant think he’ll move that rubber tree plant? Anyone knows an ant can’t move a rubber tree plant. But he’s got high hopes; he’s got high hopes. He’s got high apple pie in the sky hopes!” (Lyrics by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn)
In my heart I heard, “Be like the ant. Ants don’t know they can’t. They just do.”
An ancient proverb encourages us to reflect on the tiny ant and his great abilities. He doesn’t need someone to tell him what to do. He doesn’t wait for someone to do it for him. He does what needs to be done and has provision and shows fruit for his labor.
Proverbs 6:6-7 (New International Version NIV)
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! 7 It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Too often, we wait for or rely on others to make our dreams become realities. Or we wait on others to tell us we can or cannot do something. We each have a drive inside of us to live out our purpose on the earth. It is up to us to activate that purpose and seek out the inspiration we need to aid us in our endeavors. We must take responsibility to be what we were designed to be.
Have you ever put your foot or a rock in the path of an ant? When doing so, have you observed what the ant does in response? I’ve never seen one turn around and go back in the direction it came from. However, I have watched as it either goes around the obstacle or goes over it. I’m certain in that observation that the ant doesn’t think, “Oh well, maybe it wasn’t meant to be,” or “It was a good idea at the time.” The ant appears to see no obstacle. It looks as though it accepts what has been placed before it as a part of the path and chooses not to lose sight of its initial goal or direction. It just gets over or around what seems to be a part of the plan.
Too often we see obstacles as signs that we should not do something. In other words, they are the “easy way out.” We must see them as a part of the path that leads to our destiny. We can never lose sight of the vision and purpose for which we embarked on the path to begin with. We have to be willing to find ways to get over those challenges or around them. We must keep moving forward and never consider going back. A progressive mindset is a must in reaching a goal and accomplishing a mission.
That little classic song ends with this:
“Oops, there goes another rubber tree; Oops there goes another rubber tree; Oops there goes another rubber tree plant!”
Just like the ant, it doesn’t matter what everyone thinks they know about you. Many will tell you that you can’t. Do not see obstacles. Do not go back. Just keep moving progressively forward. The fruit of your labors will be bountiful and a positive result or testimony of the journey you have taken towards your destiny.
Let’s keep growing and going. Shine bright. It’s a good time to be you!
Peace and Joy,
Angela