RESTED & READIED

What do you love most about summer?

For me, it’s the slower pace. No early mornings, no looming deadlines, and honestly, no real schedule. That kind of rhythm sounds perfect, right? But recently, God interrupted my carefree summer vibes with something unexpected.

Let’s talk about ants.

Yes, those relentless little creatures taking over your yard right now.

Proverbs 30:25 says,

“The ants are not a strong people, but they prepare their food in the summer.”

Ants, though tiny and seemingly insignificant, are diligent. While many of us are in vacation mode, maybe even binge-watching an entire Netflix series in one day (guilty), ants are preparing. They’re not known for their strength, but they’re among the most effective workers in nature. They carry up to fifty times their body weight and never stop moving. Trust me, I’ve tried everything to keep them out of my house. They’re persistent and unstoppable.

And honestly, their resilience is inspiring.

Proverbs 6:6 tells us,

“Go to the ant, O sluggard; observe her ways and be wise.”

Did you catch that? Her ways. There’s wisdom in the way she works. Ants thrive in all kinds of environments because they adapt. They prepare even in harsh conditions. So when hard times come, they don’t panic. They’re ready.

Let me ask you something.

Do you ever feel weak? Exhausted? Just plain over it?

Maybe you’ve been in a difficult season. Maybe you were raised in a challenging home, or you’re currently facing setbacks in your finances, family, or faith. But here’s the truth. Hope without action leads nowhere. Faith without works is dead. Preparation is your secret weapon.

God has already declared victory over your life. But the question is, are you ready for it?

Are you prepared to handle the blessing you’re asking for?

Consider this. Forty-four percent of lottery winners go broke within five years. Why? They weren’t prepared for increase.

So how do we prepare?

We start by evaluating our time.

Time is our most valuable resource. You can always make more money, but you can never make more time.

Proverbs 11:1 says,

“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.”

Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you’re living with purpose.

We often confuse busyness with fruitfulness. But if we’re honest, when was the last time you heard someone say, “I’m so rested and enjoying life right now”? Rarely. We wear stress like a badge of honor and call it ambition. But it’s costing us peace, presence, and purpose.

Recently, I decided to fast from social media on Mondays. Let me tell you, it revealed how much I’d been addicted to the noise. I’d instinctively reach for my phone during any pause in my day. But in the quiet, I began to hear God more clearly and connect more deeply with the people in front of me.

Try it. One day. No social media. Let your soul breathe.

Use that time to get clear about what you want. What are you believing God for? Write it down.

Habakkuk 2:2 to 3 says,

“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.”

If it’s not written down, I’ll forget it, whether it’s groceries or goals.

Your life isn’t just going to work out. You have to work it out.

Highly successful people don’t just dream.

They prepare.

They plan.

They execute.

So this summer, let’s not just hope for a better future. Let’s prepare for it.

Be like the ant. Use your time wisely.

Dream it. Write it. Do it.

You’re stronger than you think.

And this summer can be a season of breakthrough.