What A Life

November 27
November 27, 2007
November 29
November 29, 2007
November 27
November 27, 2007
November 29
November 29, 2007

Jim Rohn is an American Business Philosopher. From his teachings he has developed what he calls “the ant philosophy.” I think it ties in well with good Christian teachings.

He starts by saying, “I think everybody should study ants. They have an amazing four-part philosophy, and here is the first part: ants never quit. That’s a good philosophy. If they’re headed somewhere and you try to stop them, they’ll look for another way. They’ll climb over, they’ll climb under, and they’ll climb around. They keep looking for another way. What a neat philosophy, never to quit looking for a way to get where you’re supposed to go.”


Jesus told us, “By your endurance you will save your souls.” (Luke 21:19)


Christ warned his followers that they would experience trials and difficulties in following him. He told us if we have problems in one location, move onto another. Don’t let people get you down. We also have Psalm 23 to remind us that God is always with us in our troubled times. “Although I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.”

Jim Rohn’s second point: “Ants think winter all summer. That’s an important perspective. You can’t be so naive as to think summer will last forever. So ants are gathering in their winter food in the middle of summer. An ancient story says, ‘Don’t build your house on the sand in the summer.’ In the summer, you’ve got to think storm. You’ve got to think rocks as you enjoy the sand and sun. Think ahead.”


Jesus gave us similar advice.


Christians should build their lives on solid ground so that when the storms of life come, they can withstand any ordeal. That is why we worship every week, we read the Bible, we rely on the Christian community for support, and we develop a prayer life, to mention a few ways.

Rohn’s third part of the ant philosophy: “Ants think summer all winter. That is so important. During the winter, ants remind themselves, ‘This won’t last long; we’ll soon be out of here.’ The first warm day, the ants are out. If it turns cold again, they’ll dive back down, but then they come out the first warm day. They can’t wait to get out.”

Our culture has many forms of escapism. People seek temporary thrills through drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, overeating, or overworking, to mention a few. These things distract us from the problems and difficulties of life. These escapes will never fix the problem.

We have to face the reality of our situation. Once we face it, we can experience new life.

This is where our faith comes in. St. Paul tells, “If God is for us, who can be against us.” Do you believe that? If we do, we can face any winter of our lives and come through because God goes with us. We are going somewhere.

The last part of the ant philosophy: “How much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All he possibly can. What an incredible philosophy, the ‘all-you-possibly-can’ philosophy.”

In the parable of the talents, the master entrusted each servant with his property and went off on a trip. When the master returned, he called in his servants to see how they did with his investments. The master praised the ones who produced more and gave them more responsibility. The one who held onto the master’s coins and did not produce was condemned. We are to use our talents and abilities for the common good.

To sum up the ant philosophy: never give up, look ahead, stay positive and do all you can.