The Colugo (Conclusion)

This series of writing is a testimony to how God has spoken to me multiple times in a short 2 hour span. I was blessed enough to be able to write this, upon His prompting. Pray that this series will also be a blessing to you, as it is to me!

The Colugo

As I walked deeper into the trail, I noticed a small crowd gathered around a tree. They were whispering and pointing at something nearly invisible. I realized that if I had been in my "Solo Hero" mode—jogging past to beat my timing—I would have missed it entirely.

There, hugging the bark, was a Colugo.

What you may ask is a Colugo. (Read here.)

Unfortunately I had neglected to capture a photo of it:(

The Invisible Defense

The Colugo is a fascinating creature. It doesn’t have the massive claws of a predator to fight back, nor does it have a shell. Its primary defense mechanism is its ability to blend in and, more importantly, its grip. Its claws are incredibly sharp, but they aren’t designed to hurt others; they are designed solely to cling tighter to the tree.

When it feels threatened, it doesn’t throw a punch. It climbs higher, or it simply holds on so tight that it becomes one with the pillar supporting it.

The  Central Pilar

As I watched it, the spiritual parallel was undeniable.

God is our Central Pillar: The Colugo is helpless without the tree. In the same way, we aren't built to fight the pressures of this world—the career stress, the parenting anxieties, the spiritual attacks—by our own "muscle."

The World is Watching: Even when the Colugo wants to be invisible, there are observers. As men of faith in our offices and our neighborhoods, people are watching how we handle "the heat."

The Only Defense: Our defense isn't our wit or our wealth. It is how tightly we are "hugging" the God who supports us.

The Singing Lady

I began to ponder Matthew 5:13-16. How do we reconcile being "invisible" like a Colugo with being the "light of the world"?

Just then, I passed a woman on the trail. She was walking alone, but she was singing out loud—completely unbothered by what anyone thought of her. 

It hit me: Being the "Light" isn't about seeking the spotlight. It’s about the confidence of the grip.

The Colugo isn't "hiding" in fear; it is resting in its design. When we hug the "Tree" (God) so tightly that we become inseparable from His character, our "light" shines naturally. We don't have to shout to be seen; we just have to hold on so firmly that people know exactly to whom we belong.

Whether we are "invisible" in our quiet service to our families or "singing out loud" in our joy, our only plausible defense against the world is the strength of our connection to Christ.

A little further on, I heard another lady singing the same song. It was a dialect I didn't recognize. I’d like to think they were hymns.

Takeaway Questions:

The "Claw" Audit : "Are you using your 'claws' (your talents, your words, your energy) to fight against people, or are you using them to grip God tighter? When you feel under pressure at work or home, is your first instinct to 'fight' or to 'cling'?"

The "Observer" Reality: "Who is currently 'observing' your hike? Your kids? Your colleagues? If they looked at you today, would they see a man struggling to survive, or a man clearly 'hugging the tree'?"

The "Grip" Check: Whats the one thing that has been trying to pull you off your tree? Whats the one verse / brother that has helped you to hold onto the tree?