The spider monkey, native to South America, is so named because it hangs from the tree by its tail and lets its arms and legs dangle. Since it is very small in size and very fast, it is extremely difficult to catch with a net or tranquilize with darts.

Trappers have found a way to do it, though. They take a long-necked bottle, tie a rope around its neck, place peanuts inside, scatter a few on the ground around the bottle, and wait for the spider monkey to come.

The spider monkey sees the peanuts on the ground, eats them, then notices the peanuts in the bottle, reaches its arm into the bottle and grabs a hand full of peanuts.

When it tries to pull its arm out of the bottle, it can’t, because its fist is clenched, full of peanuts…unless it lets go of them. At that point, it is easy for the trapper to catch the spider monkey.

Even when there are other peanuts outside the bottle, the monkey wants the peanuts inside the bottle so badly, that it will not let go. As a matter of fact, even when fresh fruit (another spider monkey favourite) is placed around the bottle, it will not let go. Trappers eventually have to break the bottle to get the spider monkey’s arm out.

The apostle Peter warns us: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8)

What is easier to pick off—a target moving at lightning speed or one that is stationary? A spider monkey that is flying from tree to tree totally free or one that has its hand stuck in a long-necked bottle?

As we move into 2014, I am sensing that we too need to “be sober, be vigilant”, as Peter advises prior to penning the aforementioned words, so we do not get devoured.

Are we clinging to something from our past, even our more recent past in 2013 that makes us easy prey for the enemy?

What may be obvious is unforgiveness to which we may be holding on…or pain on which we’re still dwelling…regret over what we could’ve done or did not do…or something else that is negative………………………………..(please fill in the blanks).

What may not be so readily apparent is the good things from our past that we are unwilling to let go.

You may have heard the expression: “The good is the enemy of the best.” We may be clinging tightly to the trophy of yesteryear, the great revelation that revolutionized our life, the new tactic that changed our finances for the better or …………………………(you know what to do, right?)

You can unwittingly become an easy target for the treacherous trapper of our souls should you refuse to let go and move on. Your very destiny is at stake.

So, why not take some time today and see what peanuts (if any) may be inside your clenched fist. Don’t be a spider monkey. Let go of them and set yourself free. And you too will take great strides toward your destiny.