Unwanted Lessons in Diligence
“For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 NKJV)
Chalk one up for the ants.
After 10 years of skirmishes with me across our kitchen floor and countertops, they finally hit paydirt—our sugary pantry shelf.
They’ve frequently raided the dogfood bowls and honey jar in the past but hadn’t quite discovered the cookies, candy, raisins, and other goodies in our closet. Until now. This means all-out war.*
Sigh. I do have to admire their extraordinary persistence. These little critters just don’t give up at first defeat. They’ll persist in following their noses (or is it antennae?) to the ends of the earth to get the gold for their colony. Nothing but the best for these guys.
Ants show up in one of my favorite Bible passages in Proverbs, where lazybones-type people are admonished to regard their example. “Go to the ant, you sluggard!” says the proverb writer, possibly King Solomon. “Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8 NKJV)
The ant is an apt choice to describe diligence. We sluggish people (especially in caffeine-withdrawal) frequently have a hard time persevering in jobs, despite motivations like a paycheck. But the ant keeps going until food is captured and stored for inevitable hard times ahead…even when no one is supervising.
The apostle Paul recognized the dangers of indolence, too, in the family of faith. In his second letter to the Thessalonian church members, Paul warned against “busybodies,” citing his own example of hard work to earn his board-and-keep while lodging among them. Paul never approved of disorderliness. Rather, he encouraged his readers to not grow weary in doing good (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
Hard work is always commendable, and in many cases, diligence is its own reward. Our western civilization’s emphasis on ease and comfort, though, has made us soft. We’d rather dawdle on a cellphone game than get the job finished…or even started. We’d rather get a take-out order meal than purchase dinner ingredients to cook. We’d rather tumble into bed late, after binge-watching TV, than get important sleep to face a busy workday the next morning.
Let’s face it. We’re often big-time sluggards compared to the lowly ants.
As a writer, I battle a lack of motivation every single day. Fear of rejection, lack of organization, distractions, and procrastination are the biggest hurdles—just writing the first words can be horribly daunting. So, how do we counter our sluggardliness?
You and I both know the answer. Whatever the question, our solution is always to go to Jesus. Read the Bible, pray about what to do, and follow up with concrete actions.
Look at His example. Jesus didn’t laze around waiting for a mission to show up at their doors. He took to the road with His ministry and was frequently bombarded with the demands of people who needed His healing, teaching, and salvation. He worked long hours and then spent nights in prayer with His Holy Father. He persevered even when His best friends couldn’t stay awake for Him at the Garden of Gethsemane.
When we’re feeling weary or lethargic, let’s remember how Jesus gave Himself sacrificially for us. Let’s think of His willingness to die for our salvation. Usually the jobs He asks us to do aren’t nearly so detrimental to our lives.
My prayer for this week is to get back into the pattern of putting Jesus first in my work. If you want me to pray for you, too, let me know.
The ants in my kitchen will keep me grounded. At least they’re tiny. I’m not having to do kitchen combat with the wildlife we saw earlier in the day outside—a massive, spike-toothed possum. Yikes!
Jesus, You are my example for every job You’ve given me on this earth. Forgive me for sloth and following the lie of Satan that I can put things off. Give me wisdom, persistence, and joy in pursuing my work for you, especially in using the gifts you’ve given me for Your kingdom. Please let me hear those words about being a good and faithful servant when I join You in heaven. In Your blessed name, Amen.
*For a story about my battles against an earlier pantry invader, see this blog: https://nancycwilliams.com/2022/05/12/the-privileged-life-a-normal-day-with-a-mouse-in-the-house/
Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom.
© Copyright 2025 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #ants #diligence #hardwork #doinggood #weariness #sluggard #sloth #perseverance
