“Consistent, redundant, methodical — and life-saving. The ants remind us what can be achieved when we relentlessly chip away at the task before us. Remember, faithfulness isn’t flashy. The dynamic of Ant Power hinges on repetition.”- Jeff Manion
“Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.”- Proverbs 30:25 (NIV)
On Day 2 (“Ant Power”), Week 1 of Dream Big, Think Small Jeff Manion observes that ants get their work done with consistent forward progress. As a result, ants parade in and out of their anthill. And each time they go back and forth, they bear food.
Therefore, Solomon included a proverb on ant power to demonstrate the accumulative effect of steady, repeated movement in the proper direction. Consistency provides the power. Plus, this produces a stunning effect.
For example, Pastor Manion’s son Alex was in sixth grade when he asked for a drum set. Jeff told his son that if he contributed 50 percent of the money needed, mom and dad would foot the bill for the other half. Little by little, week by week, Alex’s hoard grew. Although it took Alex a year and a half to reach that goal, he persevered. Pastor Manion adds: “It’s not what we do once that marks our years with positive movement; it’s what we do on repeat.”
Furthermore, reading your Bible for one day probably won’t change your life. However, when you discipline yourself to open your heart to God’s Word every day, you gain the wisdom attained only through daily devotion.
In conclusion, the author offers this caveat:
“Don’t expect to see massive change overnight. . . . Some of our most significant growth can be measured only after months or even years. So be patient. The small tasks you do over and over, week after week, again and again, do matter.”
Today’s question: How do you take a consistent approach to the task before you? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the Thanksgiving Short Meditation — “Thankful for the scars – or see you in Madagascar!”
