Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.
— Deuteronomy 13:4 (NLT)
When Holding on Holds You Back
In various countries throughout South America, Africa, and Asia, locals have devised a clever and surprisingly effective way to trap monkeys. The plan is deceptively simple. A hole is drilled in a gourd or similar object that is just large enough for a monkey’s hand to slip through. The gourd is then weighted with sand or pebbles and baited with a nut or a piece of fruit.
When the monkey comes along, he thrusts his paw inside to get the food. However, the opening was just wide enough for the monkey’s paw to fit in, but not quite wide enough for his food-filled fist to come out. With the object too heavy to be carried away the monkey now has a dilemma. Too stubborn to release its prize, the monkey becomes trapped. He gives up his freedom for a small piece of food. Even as the trapper comes out of hiding to capture him, he refuses to let go of what will ultimately lead to his captivity. He chooses bondage over freedom – for the sake of a single piece of fruit.
There are many variations of this story, but its core message is universal – and deeply convicting. Because the truth is, I’ve been that monkey. Maybe you have too. We clutch tightly to things we think we need – relationships, routines, reputations, roles, regrets – believing they will satisfy us, protect us, or give us meaning. But more often than not, the very things we won’t release are the things that keep us stuck, small, or enslaved.
We hold on for dear life to things and people that aren’t right for us and rationalize away the red flags God throws up. We hold on to past mistakes when God has placed them as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). We cling to the need to be right when God says we should “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14 ESV). We won’t let go of anger or resentment, becoming bitter and cynical, when He calls us to forgive as we’ve been forgiven (Ephesians 4:32). We become attached to material things that are of no eternal value. We put the importance of our possessions ahead of our own well-being. And the list could go on.
Some traps are of our own making; others are cleverly set by the enemy of our souls who prowls around looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). We forget that greater is He (God) who is in us than he (Satan) who is in the world (1 John 4:4) and we succumb to the trickery and tactics of the tempter. But he doesn’t need to chase us when we’re already immobilized by what we refuse to let go of.
Often what we are holding fast to keeps us stuck or holds us back by keeping our focus on the wrong things. The only thing we should be clinging to for dear life is our Savior and He can be trusted to care for us even better than we care for ourselves. When we fix our eyes on Jesus Christ we won’t be led astray by bogus blessings.
Let’s be people who hold loosely to the things of this world and cling tightly to the One who never changes. Let’s commit to letting go of those shiny objects that look appealing “in the now” but may prevent us from reaching what God has next for us. Let’s release what’s keeping us bound and embrace the freedom found in Christ alone. He has plans for you – good plans, plans to prosper you, to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). But sometimes, reaching for His promise requires letting go of what’s already in our hands and waiting for the abundant overflow of our Heavenly Father.
God, in His mercy, offers us wisdom in His Word and invites us to a better way: to obey Him, listen to His voice, and cling to Him instead (Deuteronomy 13:4). We forget the power we carry. We aren’t defenseless. We’re just distracted – clinging to counterfeit blessings instead of Christ. Isn’t He worth clinging to?
Friend, what are you holding onto today that’s holding you back?
What’s keeping your hands & heart too full to receive the next thing God wants to give you?
Pray
Breath of Heaven, thank You for giving us clear guidance in Your Word and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Help us recognize the traps we encounter, whether by ourselves or the enemy, and be quick to turn from them and to You. Prevent us from settling for chains disguised as blessing, clinging instead to You and the full favor that comes from being a chosen and cherished child of God. May we always be willing to release our hold of anything that will lead us away from You. In the matchless name of Jesus we ask this. Amen.
