Three Little Monkeys

"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is"- Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV).

Live wisely, make the most of every opportunity, and understand the Lord's will. That made me tremble, but I was consoled this morning as I looked around my office. On the corner of my desk sits a statue of three monkeys. Monkeys are usually thought of as very foolish, but these monkeys held the answer I was seeking. One is covering his ears, one his eyes, and one his mouth: hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil. That doesn't mean a life of no action. You have to understand the Lord's will. The Scripture says the days are evil and we're to make the most of every opportunity. We are to hear the needs of our fellow man, speak up for those who cannot defend themselves, and refuse to close our eyes to the persecution of the innocent and weak. I interpret the monkeys as saying to stop listening, speaking, and seeing evil things. When you encounter evil, you either become part of the solution or you become part of the evil. To sit on the sidelines, doing nothing, is like the parable Jesus told of the talents. One servant was given ten, one five, and one one. The first two doubled the given talents, but the last servant hid his, instead of investing it into the Master's kingdom (Matthew 25:14-30). The last verse is the consequence of inaction: "And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Be very careful, then, how you live; how you invest the talent God has given you this day.