Discipline as an Ant 蚂蚁般的纪律
Shared by Sis Pearl Lock
“How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?”
Dear Congregation, everyone loves their sleep and sometimes we indulge ourselves with a little more sleep (including me). Today, I would like to encourage us from the book of Proverbs, from Lady wisdom to look towards these verses written by Solomon and imitate the example of the ant, rather than the sluggard. I think the attitude of the ant is being hardworking and practice discipline. We see that they are up on their feet early morning, to begin working and storing up provisions during summer and to get their stockpile ready when the harsh and cold winter arrives.
What does discipline entail? Discipline to me means we need to put aside our comfort zone, things that wrap us so comfortably like a snuggly pillow so we want to sleep laze a little more. We can “combat” this by rising up early each morning, and we can begin to appreciate God’s abundant blessings at each dawn when we witness His glory through His wonderful creation.
In contrast, Proverbs 6: 9-11 turns Solomon's attention to the subject of laziness. The term translated here as "sluggard" or "slacker" implies something more than being unmotivated; it also includes irresponsibility and laziness. Such persons put themselves at risk of ruin. Even if they can get by, in the present, a lack of preparation means they will not survive a crisis. In contrast, Solomon suggests the example of the ant: a creature who works diligently and is, therefore, able to endure harder times.
Likewise, in his letter to the Romans, Paul calls upon those who are asleep spiritually to wake up, because the day of redemption is approaching quickly (Romans 13:11). In other words, it is not time to sleep—to be unaware, unmoving, and inactive; it is time to serve the Lord. So let us encourage one another as fellow workers in God’s everlasting kingdom to keep awake and vigilant as the Day approaches soon.
文: 陆圣曦姐妹
翻译：王佩瑾师母
“懒惰人哪，你要睡到几时呢？你何时睡醒呢？”
亲爱的弟兄姐妹们，相信大家都非常珍惜自己的睡眠时间，有时也会宠宠自己，多睡一点（我也不例外）。今天，我想通过箴言书里的智慧，勉励大家仿效所罗门笔下的蚂蚁，而不是懒惰人。我认为蚂蚁的态度是勤奋工作并且守纪律的。我们可以观察到它们日出便勤劳地工作，在夏天储存食物，为严寒的冬天做好准备。
那纪律究竟包括些什么呢？对我而言，纪律便是放开自己的舒适圈，或是一些可以把自己包裹的暖暖，像是一个让自己想多睡一会儿的抱枕。要对付这点，我们可以试着每日早起，通过神美妙的创造见证祂的荣耀，在每天的清晨感恩神给我们丰富的祝福。
相反的，箴言6：9-11节把所罗门的注意力转向了懒惰这个主题。这里所翻译的‘懒惰人’或‘惰汉’意味的不仅是缺乏动力；它更包括了不负责任和怠惰。这类人将自己处于被毁灭的危险当中。就算现在日子还过得去，当危机来临时，他们将会因为准备不足而无法生存。相比之下，所罗门提议以蚂蚁为例子—一个因为勤奋工作而能够度过难关的生物。
保罗在写给罗马的信里也提到让那些在属灵生命里沉睡了的快些醒来，因为那救赎的日子即将到来（罗马书13：11）。换句话说，现在不是沉睡、不谨慎、不动、不活跃的时候；现在是服侍主的时候。因此，作为神永恒国度的同工，让我们互相鼓励，在救赎之日来临之际，保持清醒，警惕。