The Bible praises ants for their wisdom. Why? Because “they store up their food in the summer”. (Proverbs 30:25).

Squirrels should be praised for having similar wisdom. Like ants, they store up food for barren days to come. In the Fall, I see squirrels gathering food and hiding it.

In addition for praising the wisdom of squirrels, we should praise the faith of squirrels.

I see the faith of squirrels displayed at dawn, as they frolic among the trees by my patio. They courageously jump from branch to branch, even though the tiny branches are bobbing up and down.

The courage of the squirrels gives me faith that I can make it through the upcoming day, no matter how much my pathway bobs up and down as I jump from “branch” to “branch”.

As I watch the squirrels romping through the branches, I reflect upon one of my favorite mantras: “The LORD himself goes before me and is with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

To be frank, I find it easier to find the wisdom of a squirrel than to find the faith of a squirrel.

I’m more comfortable “saving for a rainy day” than leaping from branch to branch high above the ground.

“Saving for a rainy day” is wise. But it creates dangers.

I may start relying on my money instead of relying on the LORD. I may start trusting in my money instead of trusting in the LORD. (Matthew 6:25-34; 1 Timothy 6:17; Revelation 3:17-18).

In these ways (and many more!), the love of money becomes the root of all kinds of evils. (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Furthermore, trusting in money is futile. We mistakenly convince ourselves that we need more and more money in order to survive more and more types of rainy days that are conjured up by our fears and imaginations. (Matthew 6:31-33; Luke 12:13-21).

In contrast, it takes great faith—not great wealth—to take a “leap of faith”, bounding through the air with the greatest of ease like a daring young man on a flying trapeze. (Matthew 6:19-21;25-33).

Indeed, sometimes I fear for the squirrel! He barely catches the next branch. He hangs on for dear life with his sharp claws.

Sometimes, I reflect that I often feel like that squirrel, barely catching the next “branch” in my life. Maybe even hanging on for dear life because I almost lost my grip on the Way of Jesus.

But then, I find the strength and courage to meet whatever “branches” I must take during this day that is dawning.

I remind myself that the LORD himself is going ahead of me and is with me, no matter how challenging the leaps I must make that day.

I know that the LORD will never leave me nor forsake me, even if I find myself dangling in mid-air hanging on for dear life.

And, therefore, I should not fear, no matter what the day may bring. Nor should I be discouraged.

For I have faith that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ whose branches—whose Way— I am following. (Romans 8:35).

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

When have you had the wisdom of an ant and a squirrel, saving for a rainy day? How? Why?

When have you lacked the wisdom of an ant and a squirrel, failing to save for a rainy day? How? Why?

When have you had the faith of a squirrel? How? Why?

When have you lacked the faith of a squirrel? How? Why?

When have you been “a rich fool”? How? Why?

How do you find the wisdom to decide when to do or not to do something? (Think about the interplay of Ecclesiastes 1:1-8 and James 1:5).

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For related thoughts, please read my blogs “Rich Fools”, “Woodpecker Pecking Persistently”, and “Toto: Living by Scent, Not by Sight!”.