Philippians 4:11 (ESV)
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have
learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Charles Swindoll wrote about these men who bring in
animals from Africa for American zoos. They say that one of the hardest animals
to catch there is the ring-tailed monkey. For the Zulus of that continent,
however, it's simple. They've been catching this agile little animal with ease
for years.
The method the Zulus use is based on knowledge of the
animal. Their trap is nothing more than a melon growing on a vine. The seeds of
this melon are a favorite of the monkey. Knowing this, the Zulus simply cut a
hole in the melon, just large enough for the monkey to insert his hand to reach
the seeds inside. The monkey will stick his hand in, grab as many seeds as he
can, then start to withdraw it. This he cannot do. His fist is now larger than
the hole. The monkey will pull and tug, screech and fight the melon for hours.
But he can't get free of the trap unless he gives up the seeds, which he
refuses to do. Meanwhile, the Zulus sneak up and nab him.
There's a pretty clear moral to this story, wouldn't you
say? If we really want to be free, we must let go of the things we love. The
more we hold on to our earthly possessions, the more frustrated we will get and
eventually, we will be entrapped.
Let's let go of the worldly things we've been holding on
to. God has much greater things for us to be doing than sitting here with our
fists in a melon!
Dear Lord, help us to let go of the things that keep us
from the greater things that You have for us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment