A story to open with...
If you ever watch an ant hill, all the little ladies (the males hang out with the queen inside) are always working, non-stop until sundown. I remember one time my husband and I were having a picnic, and there was a small ant hill about 5 feet away from us. I was curious to see if they would drop what they were doing if I left a piece of lunch on the ground. He and I both agreed that it would be interesting to find out! So I laid a little part of my sandwich on the dirt, and just waited.
It took them no more than 5 minutes to find it and start breaking it down. I guess one of their little scouts had smelled it, wandered off, found the scrap of food, and sent back the message to the other workers. It was amazing how fast they started disassembling the piece of sandwich! They didn't hesitate for one second...food is food, and they always sieze an opportunity to store up a snack.
Segway into the present...
This morning I was sitting at my kitchen table and pondering the outside world. The view I have is of the neighbor's front yard across the street. I was reading scripture and drinking coffee, and I came across one of my favorite verses about the wisdom of the ant.
"Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways and be wise. She has no chief, officer, or ruler, but she prepares her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest." Proverbs 6:6-8
It's amazing how the will of the Word is reflected in nature, even in the smallest things like ant colonies. God created organization, and it is an innate behavior in us because we are His workmanship. We are supposed to be responsible, carry specific roles in our jobs and in our fellowship, and sieze opportunities that He gives us to. One of those opportunities is to be a servant to those around us.
I find it so interesting that Wisdom is referred to as "she," in Proverbs. While this is truly flattering, I feel it also subtly states that perhaps the female is upheld to a pretty high standard in the scripture. Throughout chapter 31 we have seen how much she spiritually and physically is responsible for. But so many times, how we deal with life is the opposite of wise. How many times have we let our impulsive emotions run our decision-making, instead of relying on the type of Wisdom that can only come from God? Sometimes it feels easier to rely only on emotions instead of fearing the Lord.
I also feel that it is important not to let how much wisdom/knowledge we have give us an ego. We ought to seek wisdom from God, and not from earthly educators. I think that knowledge is something we as women long for deep in our souls. For me it stems from wanting to understand something I don't, showing someone that I understand (either in a time of need or just in a learning environment), and a deep underlying need to be understood. That is a wonderful deep trait put in me by God...however sometimes we let how much we know trick us into thinking we are wise because of how much we have learned.
God's word says that "this kind of knowledge puffs up." (1 Corinthians 8:1-3). Just when you think you know something, be ready to find out that you really have a lot to learn.
I am guilty of the former, and have been time and time again. It is a battle I constantly fight because it has interfered with my having compassion and humility. There is a vast difference between being smart and being wise, and I have often confused the two. If there is any woman I can relate to, it is Eve. Knowledge was Eve's weakness in the Garden of Eden. She thought that trying things in a different way than God's was going to enlighten her and make her wise. Just like her, I have easily deceived myself and suffered the consequences.
Instead of biting off more than you can chew (acting like you know everything), try the little ant's approach and take a little at a time with the help of an army. This strategy will help us in our witness to others.
The word "poor" from Proverbs 31:20 is actually the same word used for "lowly" or "humble." This verse refers to two main types of people; those who are physically and materially poor, and those who are spiritually poor. This extension of ourselves to benefit others is perhaps the most crucial role we could fill in this life. When the Lord gives us resources and blesses us, He expects us to turn around and do it for someone else. When we know someone is surrounded by hopelessness and confusion about their circumstances, we need to be ready to meet them with truth, wisdom, and encouragement because of our hope in Christ.
The woman of Proverbs 31 is prepared for both kinds of situations, and more importantly, she actively responds to them. Just like the ant finding the food and bringing it back to the colony, the Proverbs woman sees a person who needs help and helps them. Right now I see myself as this woman, but also the poor person who needs help. Never believe that you are above needing help, and never avoid helping someone who is in need.
The opportunities God places in our lives are always unique and individual, however we are all to respond in the same way; with wisdom, love, and compassion. There are several opportunities that I know He is crossing my path with, and I realize how many times I have just looked the other way. I cower away from the circumstances. Why I am scared, who knows? Perhaps I think I am smarter than my Lord, and that I am not every wrong. But that is when I rely on my own logic and try to ignore what I know God wants from me. Who am I not to respond? Am I superior enough to ignore the needs of God's creation? Do I really have nothing left to learn? The hard truth is that the Son of God, the Word that spoke creation into existence, that became a man and let people beat him and spit on Him, He humbled himself to Glorify the Father, and die for the salvation of man. He is who we are to model our lives after, and He is the stark reminder that going through our lives without any kind of humility is a detriment.
I close as I always do; confounded by the reality that meditation on only one verse in the Word brings a wellspring of truth and revelation. My God is truly amazing.
Pray that I will be bolder in my faith and witness, and more humble in my walk with Christ. God deserves nothing less from me, and anyone else. Pray that the women around you will seek God's wisdom. Pray that for humility.
In Him,
Caryn
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