This morning in church, Pastor Eddy Lim shared a story “How to Catch a Monkey” with the children. I thought it is interesting and would like to post this story in my blog.

The children were told of the story about how in ancient times the natives used to catch monkeys. They do not catch the monkeys by chasing after them. They hollowed out a coconut by cutting a small hole at one end of the coconut, just big enough for a monkey to put its hand in. They would pull a string attached to the other end of the coconut and tie the string to a tree. They then filled the coconut with peanuts (or bananas).

The monkey smelled the treat, squeezed its hands into the coconut and grabbed the peanuts. Unfortunately the hole was not large enough for the monkey to pull out its fist when clenched.

Of course the monkey was never trapped. All the monkey had to do was let go of the peanuts and pulled its hand out but it simply cannot bring itself to do so.

The Moral of the Story…

After hearing the story, the children as well as many adults in the church service this morning were smiling and laughing at the foolishness of the monkey for not letting go and allowing itself to be caught.

But does this not apply to us too?

From this story, we are taught to let go and let go. Are we holding on to things and ideas for too long and remain in the traps of our own making? If so, the best thing to do is let go, to step back, because that is when creativity has a chance to occur.

In conclusion, I leave you with this verse from James 4:7 which reads “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Learn to let and let go, or you may make a “monkey” of yourself.

God is still on the throne!

🙂