A few weeks ago Ndubuisi Ekekwe, founder of the African Institution of Technology, stopped at a rest area in Connecticut.

As I was resting, I noticed some ants in action. I observed that when one finds food, others immediately gathered to help pull the food to their storage. I decided to disturb the pattern, which unfortunately, resulted in wounding one. Quickly, they came together and evacuated it. Then they re-organized and continued on the line they had created. I saw no form of supervision, yet they were accomplishing tremendous tasks, such as moving pieces of food that were about 30 times their individual sizes.

What did he learn:

• The ants worked as a team
  
• The ants trusted one another
• The ants informed others when they discovered food
• The ants were partners and of different sizes
• The ants were diligent and focused 
• The ants regrouped

His conclusion:

Peter Miller has written that swarming animals, like ants, can teach us a lot about planning, military strategy, and business management. They make decisions as a group and depend on one another to survive. Samuel Haldeman had already observed that these small creatures live in unity, are hard-working, prudent and disciplined. It is no wonder the Biblical Solomon rebuked the lazy man: “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!”

He applies this to business, but there is much for churches to learn here as well (Prov. 6:6-11).

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