Now that we've had a little taste of spring, it probably won't be long before we'll have to deal with the ants that make their way into our homes looking for whatever crumbs they can find. Proverbs 6:6-8 tells us to consider the ants for what we can learn from them. Even though ants have no rulers over them to make them work, they work hard all summer gathering food for winter. Ants know their purpose and they work hard to fulfill it. Their goal is clear - find food and carry it back to the anthill.

Ants are tiny creatures that move on the ground, and they only see what is right before them. As they carry food back to the anthill, they cannot see the obstacles and obstructions before them. They move forward until they come upon an obstacle, and if they can't climb over it, they have to go around it. It can take them awhile to get back to the anthill.

We are much larger than ants, and we could look down upon them to help them get home quicker. As they come upon each blade of grass, each clump of dirt, the rocks and twigs that obstruct their way, we could reach down and move these obstacles out of their way to give them a smooth path. If they start heading off the most direct route, we could take a little stick to help herd them back on the right path. We see what they can't.

This is a beautiful picture of how God helps us. We may have a purpose and are working towards a goal in life, but we only see what is right before us. We have no idea what tomorrow will bring. We never know when the next obstacle is going to pop up, the next trial, the next struggle or sorrow that obstructs our way and throws us off course.

But we have Someone much bigger than us looking down upon us who is more than willing to help us reach our goals more quickly. God knows what lies ahead of us in our every tomorrow. He sees the obstacles that the enemy throws out before us to trip us up and stop us. God sees right where we are and knows best how to get us where we need to be.

Proverbs 3:5-6 in the Amplified Bible says, “Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”

As we surrender control of our lives to the Lord, learning to trust Him, lean on Him and rely on Him to help us, He is faithful to guide us and show us the way. When we stumble through dark times, when we're confused and don't know which way to go, as we cry out to God, He will lead and guide us by the light of His word.

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path” - Psalms 119:105. Only God can see clearly what we can't see, and He knows ahead what we have yet to discover. He will prepare the best path for us if we look to Him and let Him lead us.

Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 482-5300.