Shlomo Hamelech, in Mishlei, addresses the lazy person advising him to go to the ant and become wise by observing its way of life. As the pasuk says, לֶך־אֶל־נְמָלָה עָצֱל רְאֱה דְרָכֶיהָ וַחֲכָם - Go to the ant, you sluggard, see her ways, and grow wise. He proceeds to detail its routine, תָּכִין בַּקַּיִץ לַחְמָהּ אָגְרָה בַּקָּצִיר מַאֲכָלָהּ, [the ant] prepares her food in the summer and stores up on her food in the harvest time (משלי ו ו). The Midrash in Parshas Shoftim breaks this down even further. An ant lives for only six months, during which it survives only on half a kernel of wheat. Yet, it spends its days gathering as many leaves as it can, even more than it needs for its short life, in case it will live longer than six months.
We must learn from the ant who labours endlessly collecting food in abundance because perhaps she might live longer. How much more so must we invest all our time and energy in good deeds in preparation of the World to Come, as none of our efforts will go to waste. We should not be lax in our preparation, for every worthy action we perform will sustain us eternally in the World to Come.
(דברים רבה פ"ה ב)
Chazal (תנא דבי אליהו רבה פכ"ה) famously instruct us to strive to emulate the ways of our forefathers. Therefore, let us take inspiration from Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu to appreciate the value of time and fill it wisely with Torah and Mitzvos. Likewise, lets internalize the insight of the Sefas Emes regarding the far-reaching affects of teshuva, to prompt us constantly to better our ways. In doing so, we will acquire for ourselves great merit that will afford us immense opportunity to advance even further in our avodas Hashem.
גוּט שַׁבָּת