I read a story of how native hunters in the jungles of Africa have a clever way of trapping monkeys.
They slice a coconut in two, hollow it out, and in one half of the shell cut a hole just big enough for a monkey’s hand to pass through. Then they place an orange in the other coconut half before fastening together the two halves of the coconut shell. Finally, they secure the coconut to a tree with a rope, retreat into the jungle, and wait.
Sooner or later, an unsuspecting monkey swings by, smells the delicious orange, and discover its location inside the coconut. The monkey then slips his hand through the small hole, grasps the orange and tries to pull it out the hole.
Of course the orange won’t come out; it’s too big for the hole.
To no avail the persistent monkey continues to pull and pull, never realizing the danger he is in.
While the monkey struggles with the orange, the hunters simply stroll in and capture the monkey by throwing a net over him. As long as the monkey keeps his fist wrapped around the orange, the monkey is trapped.
Scientists have always contested that the monkey is the most intelligent animal upon the face of the earth. Well, if this is true then it sure is dumb enough not to know that the way to escape the trap is very simple. Just by letting go of its hold on the orange, it would be able to free himself but it chooses not to. Too bad. The monkey could save its own life and if it would only let go of the orange. It rarely occurs to a monkey, however, that it can’t have both the orange and its freedom. That delicious orange becomes a deadly trap.
You see the world sets traps for you that are not unlike the monkey trap. You hear constantly that if you just have enough possessions, enough position, enough power, and enough prestige – then you’ll be happy.
Under that illusion people spend their whole lives trying to pull the orange out of the coconut.
What about a little fling here and there, how about a little gift from that thoughtful supplier, what about a little bribe for that buyer, a little lie, a little compromise – and there goes the trap. A net is now thrown over you and you can’t budge.
Don’t fall for it. Don’t be trapped by thinking you must have it all. Don’t destroy yourself by playing with fire and thinking that you won’t get burned.
What the world offers appears delicious, but it eventually robs us of our freedom, our happiness and even our lives.
I see many Christians living defeated lives. Not so much because they know little of the Bible but more so because there are things that they are still holding to and are not willing to let go and so they’re trapped in their own compromises.
Friend, you no longer have to be trapped by the lures of this world. Let go of what you’re holding on to, and let God set you free. You can’t soar high if you keep on holding on to your excess baggage and they keep you trapped in a joyless world.
Trust God. Surrender to him whatever it is you’re holding on to. You’re thinking, “but people don’t know it anyway.” Your pastor doesn’t know it, your Sunday School teacher doesn’t know it, your dearest friend doesn’t know it but God knows those tiny little secrets you keep in your heart and God sees the things you’re holding on to, things that weigh you down.
Don’t be trapped. Let God set you free. Know the truth which is found in the Word of God and the truth shall set you free – but meanwhile, let go and you can start from there.