With spring here, it's a good time to start preparing for a change

Spring is a wonderful season that seems to sneak up on us. We brood in the dark, dreary and depressing days of February and March -- then all of a sudden it's spring. Spring brings the gift of more sun, longer walks in the park with the one you love, picnics and ants.

Ants are fascinating creatures.

They are able to lift more than their own weight. They live and work in a tight-knit community focused upon one task.

Scripture declares them to an example of wisdom. Creatures that are sources of nuisances at picnics are examples of wisdom that seem to remember something we forget: There is always a change of season.

Ants intrinsically know change is always on the horizon. They know the next season is coming. They prepare bread in the summer and gather food in the harvest.

For the most part, we know a new season is coming. We schedule vacation times. Dream about what we want our lives to be like. Where we will go, what we will do. While we recognize change is coming, it seems to catch us off guard.

Ants prepare for uncontrollable change. The ant is able to lift multiple time its own body weight but it cannot control the seasons. Summer and fall will come in their time. The little, seemingly insignificant, ant reminds us is that we can prepare for the uncontrollable change that will come in our lives.

Preparing for the last child to head off to kindergarten. Thinking about what life will be like when the last child leaves the house. Getting ready for retirement. These are all changes that are coming. When the last child leaves the nest, many couples look at each other and silently say, "Who are you?" The day the child was born, they knew change would come but they were not prepared for it.

There is more beyond this day, no matter how glorious it is. No one is guaranteed tomorrow, although there is always a new season on the horizon. God has given us the ant as an example of wisdom. Given her the supplies to make her bread. Provided her the strength to gather her food.

The next time an ant invades your picnic, ask yourself what season is coming my way that God is preparing me for.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father and serves as the associate pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jackson.