“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)
I once heard a story about an ant and a grasshopper. One warm summer day, a grasshopper happened to meet an ant who was carrying a heavy load of food back to his home. “Why bother carrying something so heavy?” He asked. “Doesn’t it wear you out?”
The ant paused slightly and responded, “Yes. But in the winter, I will live on this food.” After saying these few words, the ant picked the food up again and struggled once more toward his home. The grasshopper watched him, wondering. What a waste of time, he thought. I would much rather stay warm in the sun and eat as I need now—there will still be plenty to eat later!
Winter came. By now, the grasshopper realised how wise the ant was to have stored food away. Oh, had I not been so foolish! He thought, and I could still be as full and satisfied as he!
This story draws a striking picture of the Christian’s walk. When winter comes, we don’t want to be left without nourishment, so now—while we have the chance—we need to be storing up food. That ‘food’ is the treasure Jesus spoke of in Matthew 6:19-21. Reading and memorising the Bible and praying are some of the ways we can store up this precious treasure. Ask God to show you how to do this, and He will show you if it is His will—just as He has promised.
Like my dad says, “Keep on keeping on!”.
Esther
