The integrity of ants

For the full context of this post read Proverbs 6:6-8.

The shelter in place orders which have resulted from the coronavirus pandemic vary based upon where you live. In the state of Illinois, today marks the 54th day of our shelter in place orders. Many people are furloughed. Others have lost jobs. Some are working from home. Our first responders and essential workers are in the front lines of duty on our behalf. We are grateful for them.

Proverbs 6 provides a character key for those who are working from home, or even who are currently furloughed or unemployed.

6 Go to the ant, you sluggard;

consider its ways and be wise!

7 It has no commander,

no overseer or ruler,

8 yet it stores its provisions in summer

and gathers its food at harvest.

(Proverbs 6:6-8, NIV)

The belief that people will only work if they are physically present at their place of employment is being challenged by this pandemic. Employers are having to provide a level of trust in employees to do their jobs while no one is watching. Employees have the choice to be wise like the ant or to act like sluggards. If we choose to liken our work ethic to the ethic of ants, the quality and productivity of our work will not suffer during this timeframe. Despite the fact that ants don’t have direct deposit or life insurance, they are constantly on the clock! Ants don’t have a supervisor. There’s no foreman on the job; no one is watching to make sure that they are completing the tasks which are theirs to complete. Yet, the ant is wise and gets its job done.

As we continue to create new routines and structures for the current shelter in place orders, and as we plan for gradual re-entry of employees into the workplace, let’s plan to be like ants. Use the example of their work ethic to strengthen your work ethic and you will reap a harvest of integrity when no one is watching.