Helpful ants
The other day I was watching an amazing programme about plants. In it, I was fascinated to watch the journey of a certain jungle seed.
It is covered with a protective and attractive tip that is irresistible to ants. Once it falls to the forest floor, they pick it up and move it under the ground.
They nibble the tip of the seed, which does no damage to it, but ensures it is the right place for germination and away from hungry opportunistic birds.
The ants then leave it alone to ripen and grow.
I think this hiding and protecting principle is one that God has woven into many of our lives at this time. He has allowed certain things to come about which look, on the face of it to be destructive. They are in fact, His way of ensuring that the right things die and the right things live.
One of the lovely girls I met as part of my album recording shared a wonderful saying with me about my finances. She said “If it’s God’s will, then its God’s bill!.” I am not sure where this originates (although I would put a few dollars on it being a Joyceism!!)
This means that however crazy the idea, if it is born of God, it WILL happen.
This means that all things will work towards that end. All things will work for good and all things will eventually ‘ripen’ in His timing.
I take great comfort from this picture. I feel as though God has planted some seeds in me just below the surface. No-one else knows where they are except the ‘ants’ who are spiritually disinterested! But God is hiding and protecting those seeds for a special season.
Perhaps like me, you are sensing something of this in your own life? I pray for you that you will take heart from the work of the ‘ants’ in your life who have deliberately ignored something you have shown them. Something far sweeter is about to happen my friend. Only God knows what and when. So keep trusting.
Whether it is worship leading, church planting, preaching, singing, book writing, or a PHd in stone age cave painting, God will allow it to ripen in His season. So trust in the dust!