Ants are so industrious and purpose-driven! I watched an ant scurry, with great focus and determination, to reach its destination of a tiny crumb of food on a picnic table. Its mission seemed clear; its path straight. But, abruptly it stopped and frantically changed course to reach the same crumb from a different approach. Its momentary slowdown was hardly noticeable, and the frantic pace resumed quickly.
Provision and reward for its labor were in clear view—until I set my glass down, right in the middle of its Highway to Heaven. An obstacle had presented itself. Now what? Not to worry! Immediately, the ant detoured around the glass, resuming, once again, its rapid pace and determination. For a brief moment, I think the tiny little ant was confused. What changed its little ant mind to re-direct the initial route?
When its Plan B route was sabotaged by my glass, more confusion arose. Nothing was going as originally planned! A good day’s work, provision for the family, and a day’s ant wages were in jeopardy, and it didn’t even have a boss or overseer to appeal to for help! (Take a lesson from the ants…though they have no prince or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. Proverbs 6:6-8 NLT). When confronted with confusing changes and frustration, the ant remained steadfast in its quest to bring home the bacon (or crumb) and accomplish the task at hand…just not the way it had planned.
The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9 NASB). How often have we made plans or established goals to accomplish a successful educational path, career move, marriage, family plan, etc., only to have unexpected obstacles fall on our well-thought-out path and change everything? A giant glass is set down right in the middle of our Highway to Heaven, and confusion settles over us like a thick fog. What is Plan B? QUICK—where’s the detour? One path takes me to lifelong marital bliss with the spouse of my dreams, but he ditched me?? Job security and a corner window office are most certainly mine, but my position has been eliminated?? I take reasonably good care of my body, but the doctor has found a tumor?? My high school graduation is canceled without even so much as a pomp or a circumstance??
Think about the little ant. It never even let the fog of confusion descend at all! It immediately adapted to change. Can we adapt to God’s plans that quickly? God has a Plan B that is far better than your A. When we find ourselves confused and perplexed, it’s time to trust Him and His plan. The confusion often comes when we insist on our own way. The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the BEST pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you’ (Psalm 32:8). Take a lesson from the little ant…learn from its ways and become wise!