A few weeks ago, we took a leisurely drive down to Table Rock State Park and stopped by the campground for a visit with our youngest daughter’s family. We had no specific plans so we enjoyed a laid back afternoon talking, walking, and sharing a few snacks. At some point, we noticed that our granddaughter, now thirteen, was crouched to the ground pointing her phone at something that was consuming her entire focus. She was actually recording a colony of ants as they were transporting a chunk from one of our said snacks across the pavement, presumably to their cozy little anthill.

Needless to say, this parade of tiny insects encountered numerous obstacles on their journey—you know, a leaf here, a stick there, not to mention a sizeable crack in the pavement. It must have looked like the Grand Canyon to those tiny creatures. By now, all ten of our eyes were keeping track of the ant colony’s progress and cracking a few jokes about them as well. Our guys exhibit quite a bit of wit in this type of situation.

Needless to say, we’ve all experienced an invasion of ants in our homes or on a long awaited picnic and, trust me, no one is quicker to react to ants in the kitchen than I am, but if we get down to their level and really take a good look, these are interesting and industrious creatures. Just for fun, here are a few ant facts, all gleaned from the internet, so they must be true. I did choose to quote the more reliable of my resources, National Geographic:

Depending on the species, an ant can carry up to fifty times its own weight.

Worldwide, there are about twelve thousand species and ants can be found on every continent except Antarctica.

Ants live very long lives. The queen of one particular species can survive up to thirty years.

Watch your step!

In the year 2000, an anthill in Argentina was determined to be a single colony of some thirty three ant populations merged into one super colony that stretched 3700 miles with millions of nests and billions of workers.

There are more fun facts but I’ll let you check them out for yourselves.

Perhaps the most interesting factor in the life of the ant colony is that each group of ants has a specific job to do and they all work together for the good of everyone in the colony.

How does all this ant info possibly connect to anything other than a fun afternoon for our family…well, here it is folks. Last Sunday morning, twenty young sixth graders stood in front of the 11:11 congregation and, after many weeks of study, community service projects, team-building activities and leadership opportunities here in our church, they openly professed their faith. Some were baptized, others reaffirmed their baptisms, and some entered into full member fellowship with Aldersgate. They took that big first step, but what comes next?

At the same time these young people made their vows, we, as a church took a vow to support them. That means we all need to strive to set an example that glorifies God. We may never have a conversation with any of these confirmands, but if they see us doing something contrary to Bible teachings, it can make a lasting impression. It may say, “If they can do it, so can I!”  

Just like those industrious ants, we need to focus together on the task at hand. If one stumbles, others should rush to carry the load. If one doesn’t feel worthy, we should build that one up until their faith is strengthened. If one should turn away, we should not rest until we have done all we can to return that one to the family. After all, Jesus did, and He was our example. May we, as the adult ants in this colony, do all we can to teach by example, to encourage, to build up all our young people so they can become good leaders of our families, our churches, our communities. May that fire in their hearts for Jesus at the moment they made their vows continue to burn brightly when they face adversaries or begin to doubt. They will stumble as we all do, but let’s be there to lift them back up and restore their faith. People of Aldersgate, we’re all on a journey and we’re all homeward bound. Our path is filled with challenges, but together we can do, just like the ants.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6