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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Outsquirreled

If I had to hunt squirrels for a living, I would be penniless.

A few weeks ago I saw a squirrel in an aspen tree beside our west fence. Having had squirrel problems in the past, I became proactive. I purchased a catch-and-release squirrel trap and placed peanuts, walnuts, cereal, and apple slices in it. At first, I set the trap on the ground, near the fence.

The result? The squirrel didn’t take the bait.

Next, I placed the baited trap in a tree outside our kitchen window.

Again, the squirrel did not take the bait.

I think I have been outsquirreled. I haven’t seen hide or fur of a squirrel since I set the trap.

Do you think a squirrel can see the big picture? Can it understand that taking the bait is a quick ticket to squirrelly jail?

Perhaps we can learn from our elusive squirrel. Satan sets traps for us, using different bait for different folks. Money traps some. The lure of sinful pleasure traps others. Fame snares those who are driven by selfish ambition. Satan’s supply of bait seems endless. Will we learn not to take the bait or will the trap spring shut?

The apostle Peter cautioned us to “be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Let's not stick around to watch him set a trap!