Ant Theology
By Nita Gilger
September 16, 2026
My early morning walk to beat the heat offered far more than a little exercise. As I rounded the corner, there it was. I had noticed it before, but this time, I stopped and let this fascinating moment teach me. My gaze took me to a place where I witnessed resilience, survival, and a fierce, undeniable will to live and maintain a vibrant existence. It was a huge red ant bed with pathways going all different directions like spokes on a wooden wheel. These amazing red harvester ants build large underground nests which can be up to 8-feet deep. They clear a large disc-like area of all vegetation and sometimes decorate it with gravel.
Many trees and animals are having a challenging time surviving our wildfires and drought this year. But these red ants demonstrate amazing lessons on resilience and the value of working together for the greater whole. I owe them a debt of gratitude for the way they instruct my living in a world torn by division, harsh environmental realities and uncertainty. These tiny creatures are faithfully doing what they need to do in order to thrive and manage, no matter what the challenging conditions bring.
One of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver, came to mind. In her book, A Thousand Mornings (2012), there is one of her poem’s that is short but mighty.
Was it necessary to do it?
I tell you that ant is very
alive!
Look at how he fusses at
being stepped on.
In these few words and in my moments of visiting with the red ants, I felt encouraged and inspired. There is a sense of fierceness and unyielding will to survive. Perhaps Oliver is asking us to notice how even tiny lives can be affected by human impact on the natural world. Maybe this offering is meant to remind me that the fussing of the ants can be a metaphor for respecting space and caring for the least among us. There is something holy about honoring and recognizing the inherent value of all people and all of creation. It is even a commandment. We are to be caretakers for the world not greedy users and abusers of it.
Trust me Mary. I did not step on a single ant. Instead, I marveled at their industrious teamwork and their amazing, creative, and functional habitat. They have a place is God's great creation and so do you and I.
The Ant
Tiny one, you seem to know the way.
Yes. The way of resilience and determination.
'Worry not' you say.
Work together for the greater good instead.
Dig deep. Build pathways. Gather sustenance.
Hold on through the dry times.
And then, in the bright sunlight
and the dark of night, we will find our way.
Nita
Many trees and animals are having a challenging time surviving our wildfires and drought this year. But these red ants demonstrate amazing lessons on resilience and the value of working together for the greater whole. I owe them a debt of gratitude for the way they instruct my living in a world torn by division, harsh environmental realities and uncertainty. These tiny creatures are faithfully doing what they need to do in order to thrive and manage, no matter what the challenging conditions bring.
One of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver, came to mind. In her book, A Thousand Mornings (2012), there is one of her poem’s that is short but mighty.
Was it necessary to do it?
I tell you that ant is very
alive!
Look at how he fusses at
being stepped on.
In these few words and in my moments of visiting with the red ants, I felt encouraged and inspired. There is a sense of fierceness and unyielding will to survive. Perhaps Oliver is asking us to notice how even tiny lives can be affected by human impact on the natural world. Maybe this offering is meant to remind me that the fussing of the ants can be a metaphor for respecting space and caring for the least among us. There is something holy about honoring and recognizing the inherent value of all people and all of creation. It is even a commandment. We are to be caretakers for the world not greedy users and abusers of it.
Trust me Mary. I did not step on a single ant. Instead, I marveled at their industrious teamwork and their amazing, creative, and functional habitat. They have a place is God's great creation and so do you and I.
The Ant
Tiny one, you seem to know the way.
Yes. The way of resilience and determination.
'Worry not' you say.
Work together for the greater good instead.
Dig deep. Build pathways. Gather sustenance.
Hold on through the dry times.
And then, in the bright sunlight
and the dark of night, we will find our way.
Nita