Assertiveness +Anticipation =Advancement!
“You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two, nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next?
Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!”
Proverbs 6:6-11 (The Message Bible)
A while ago I read an article which had been written by John C. Maxwell regarding various lessons which can be learned from the ant. He said that ants have:
A- Attitude of Initiative (Ants are self -motivated: I Samuel 30:6)
N- Nature of Integrity (Ants work faithfully and need no outside accountability; Proverbs 11:3)
T- Thirst for Industry (Ants labor hard & will quickly replace their anthill when it gets destroyed;
Proverbs 12:27; 10:4)
S- Source of Insight (Ants store provisions in summer; John 9:4)
(Note: Scripture references were added by Apostle Boatwright and were not included in
John Maxwell’s article)
After reading that the article, I concluded the following.
When we consider the ants we can also observe that they are never intimated by obstacles or the presence of anything that they may encounter. Whatever is placed in front of an ant will not defeat or convince it to surrender…. or become distracted from its mission. They may be forced to discover an alternative route – however they won’t quit! The ant is one of the smallest creatures – yet they are some of the hardest workers.
Also, the ants “make haste while it is day”. They know that the night will come when they will not have the ability to work. We should become encouraged from the tenacity which is shown by the ant; because our night is coming! (I’m not referring the physical nighttime!)
The ants are always anticipating …..always in preparation for tomorrow. The ants always keep in mind that they must advance…. That their mission is before them. There are times when you may observe that an ant is attempting to carry a load that is twice their size – however, because they have a “mindset” that is motivated for success; they will always achieve their goal.
We, like that ant, are “wired” for success. Therefore whatever obstacles that present themselves must be conquered….. simply because the Bible says that we can do all things through God’s strength (Philippians 4:13) AND that we are MORE that conquerors (Romans 8:37)!
So, looking forward, let’s always, with great: expectation, motivation and determination have that same zeal which is found in the ants. I challenge you today to “anticipate” and “advance”. In other words, expect the daily “bumps in the road”; but don’t permit them to cause you to lose your focus. Remember that a group of workers…. No matter how small……All pulling in the same direction….. all sharing the weight of the load….. Will get the job done successfully! Develop a mindset that because of who I am, whose I am and to whom I belong…. I am supposed to….. and I will emerge from every situation as the victor and not the victim!
To summarize: if I develop an assertive mindset; if I maintain a spirit of anticipation and expectation; then I will victoriously advance and excel in all that I endeavor!
My road may be long and my journey may seemingly be up hill; however, I must keep in mind the old cliché: a winner never quits… and a quitter and wins!
Comments