This past week I had the opportunity to interview a young Belizean entrepreneur in Hopkins village and hear his story and strategy to improve the lives of many Hopkins residents. I was honestly impressed and endorse his efforts. He was showing us one of his projects which were a lobster trap. I ask him, “why does the lobster go into the trap?” As he explained, I was instantly flooded with revelation, as if the Holy Spirit was communicating a hidden secret that most of us don’t know. The entrepreneur said, “the lobster go into the traps seeking safety because the traps look like a place of safety for them. When they get in they can’t get out.”
WOW! How many of us gravitate towards places, people, situations in our search for safety; not realizing we are walking into a trap that bounds us. We get bound to addictions, habits, situation, people that slowly kills us. I have good news for those who are already in the traps; Jesus is able to set you free. That’s why he came.
Luke 4:18 NASB
“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED…
And for those who haven’t walked into the traps as yet, one of my favorite verse communicates that He is able to keep you from the traps or snare of the enemy.
Psalm 91:1-16 ESV
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, …
I want to encourage you to RUN to God, find shelter and safety in Him from the storms of this life and I assure you that as he promised in his word, He will keep you from the traps; He will bring TRUE safety to your soul, your life and your heart. He will bring freedom to your life. I know this because I walked into many traps in the past and God in his faithfulness, FREED ME. I’m even more grateful as I see him actively working to keep me from walking into other traps along life’s journey.
Let’s learn the lesson from the lobster, and don’t be deceived into finding safety in the places that seem safe BUT rather find your refuge in the shelter of The Almighty.
