Hi everyone! It's Tania and welcome to the Moms for Christ podcast. The Word that I have today comes from 2 Timothy chapter 4, verse 2. And it says, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.”

A few months ago after a heavy rain I joined my oldest daughter Taylor outside. She was sitting on the ground watching ants make an ant hill. As she watched intently, she began to explain to me that these ants gather one grain of sand at a time, moving it out of their way until they make a tunnel leading to their underground nest. These ants were busy, and nothing was gonna stop them from completing their task. At one point, Taylor put a flower in the way to see what would happen. At first, what looked like chaos actually turned out to be a well orchestrated plan to get a team together to move the flower out of their way. While the team moved the flower, other ants came and continued to move this sand.

Although this took place at the beginning of summer, these ants knew that they had work to do. The flower in their way was irrelevant to the mission they were on: They were preparing.

I am reminded of a Word in Proverbs chapter 6, verses 6-8 and it says, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”

"Our situation should not stop the ultimate goal."

These ants were preparing in this season so that they would be ready for the next season. This is exactly what we have been called to do. We build our relationship with the Lord, making us stronger in Him. As we grow in Him, everything that comes our way is meant to grow us a little more. Just like the ants who had a struggle, they didn't let that obstacle stop their ultimate goal. Our goal is Jesus, and the building of His Kingdom. Our desire should be knowing Him, following and obeying Him. Our situation should not stop the ultimate goal.

Unfortunately, as God is speaking this Word to me, I'm reminded of the times I have not been ready because of the obstacles placed in my life. Unlike the ant, an obstacle was placed in the way, and I stopped moving - even though there were others around me needing correction or encouragement. I see the selfishness - but, when I look at it through an ant’s perspective, how silly.

"There's a love that takes place for the things of the Lord because you understand that if you're not prepared, God's Kingdom is affected."

Imagine if every ant just stopped moving every time an obstacle was placed in their way. Not only would those ants die but the colony would die as well. We are called to be prepared in and out of season, because it's for the building up of God's Kingdom. There's a love that takes place for the things of the Lord because you understand that if you're not prepared, God's Kingdom is affected. I want my kids to learn how to prepare now, so that no matter what is happening in their lives, they are always prepared to do the work of the Lord. That preparation is only done by spending time with the Lord and getting to know His ways.

Lord, please teach us to be like the ants. Please begin to churn in us a desire to prepare in this season so that we are ready for the next season. Please let us be so filled with You, that no matter what we are going through, we are ready with a Word from you that builds Your Kingdom. Amen. God bless and have a wonderful week, I will speak to you again soon.