“Wherever your treasure lies, there your heart will be.” Luke 12:34
There is an old-fashioned technique that has been used by farmers in third-world countries to capture monkeys who might be stealing from their crops. This time-tested trap is to cut a small hole in a log or gourd which has been affixed to the ground. The cut hole is only big enough to fit a tiny hand through. Inside the gourd or log, the farmers will place nuts or something else the monkey would like.
Soon the monkey will come by and smell the waiting bait inside. They will reach their hand in and grab a fistful of what they want. But here is the (literal) catch: the hole is only big enough for an open hand, not a clenched fist full of the treat.
Of course, if the monkey would let go of what he is holding onto, he could easily pull his hand out and be free. But time and time again, the animal will not surrender the treat, ultimately ending up captured, still clinging to their perceived prized possession.
Does this remind you of anyone you know? Maybe you? Is there something in your life you are figuratively clutching that would be so much better for you if you surrendered it? Is there something you won’t let go of that is actually keeping you from the life of freedom our heavenly Father wants you to have?
Thankfully, we don’t have to be like the trapped monkey. God has blessed us with the ability to look at the bigger picture and to find reason. But unfortunately, we sometimes get so blinded by our longing to have that thing we want, that we forget to trust God with His plan. And then, like the poor monkey, we too often allow our desires to overpower the freedom God has in store for us.
There is no better time than right now, to finally let go of what’s holding you back. Only by letting go of your “clenched fist moments” can you fully embrace Jesus and the life He wants you to have.
Watering the Seeds
What are you clinging to that is keeping you from a fuller life?
What can you do today to let go of what has trapped you?
