Just Let Go!
I love to read. So I grabbed a book I hadn’t looked at in while. Its all about the different animal species of South and Central America. Fasinating! Did you know that the spider monkey is native to that area? But even more fastinating is the spider monkeys thought process. Stay with me….
For years, people attempted to shoot spider monkeys with tranquilizer guns or capture them with nets, but they discovered the monkeys were nearly always faster than their fastest draw or quickest traps. Then somebody discovered the best method for capturing this elusive little monkey. They found that if you take a clear, narrow-mouthed glass bottle, put one peanut inside it, and wait, you can catch a spider monkey.
What happens? Get this! The spider monkey reaches into the bottle to get the peanut, and he can’t get his hand out of the bottle as long as it is clenching the peanut. The bottle is so heavy in proportion to his size, he can’t drag it with him - and the spider monky is too persistent (or stupid) to let go of a peanut once he has grasped it. In fact, you can dump a wheel barrow full of peanuts right next to him, and he won’t let go of that one peanut! Amazing!
Then it got me thinking… Hmmmm… how many times are we like that spider monkey? No, not holding on to peanuts. But holding onto things we should not. How many times are we unwilling to change a habit, or give up something we know is sinful in God’s eyes. Why is it sometimes we stubbornly cling to our ways?
You know God tells in Philippians 4:13 ”that we can do ALL things through Christ.” Emphasis on ALL. And in 1st Corinthians 10:13 “that God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bare.” So maybe it all boils down to just CHOOSING to let go! Not easy I know. But by choosing to open up our hand and letting go of the things causing us to sin, we will have a free hand to hold onto God’s.
As we start another week remember that we REALLY CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST. This week spend time talking to and listening to God. Make a stand and CHOOSE to let go of things. And then see how God works in your life this week.