Category: Nature Study

Guest Post by Nikki who blogs @ Sew Running Around

First, we need to be living in the Water of Life, just like a hermit crab needs water to live. Are we “in Jesus”? Do we seek him every day in His Word, to be in us and with us? John 4:14 “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

In order to grow, a hermit crab needs to find a larger shell and abandon its previous one. In order for us to grow, we must abandon our flesh (our too-small shell), and seek a house greater – Christ’s robe of righteousness. We cannot become too comfortable in our flesh, and in our own sins, for if we do-just as if a hermit crab were to- we cannot grow. Romans 6:6 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Romans 8:10

When a hermit crab is in too small of a house, it is no longer perfectly protected. It is vulnerable to the enemy. If we live in our sinful flesh, we are vulnerable to the enemy too! Not only can’t we grow, but we will be eaten (hurt) by Satan. If a hermit crab continues seeking for larger shells to live-in, it can live to be 70 years old – and if we daily die to self, seek Jesus for His protection, we will live a long, happy, and prosperous life. 1 Peter 2:2 says “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby“…“but bring them (thy children) up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord That it may be well with thee, and thou (they) mayest live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:4,3

In general, and despite their name, hermit crabs are social animals that do best in groups; and best in groups where there are varying ages and sizes of other crabs. As Christians, we need to be near to one another, strengthening each other, helping each other. Acts 2:46 And not all the same! We need our young tender crabs, and our old crusty crabs too! If crabs are all the same age and size, they tend to fight ferociously with each other – and play king of the crab, to see who is better. That reminds me of us too. We need all ages, all sizes, all gifts – none the same! We are all in the perfect shell for ourselves – just the right size for the day, if we just look to Jesus. Romans 12: 4, 5, 6 “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us” Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Lastly, hermit crabs live in varying depths of saltwater, from shallow reefs and shorelines to deep sea bottoms. As Christians living in the shell of Christ, we will be at different places too. Some of us will be just starting out, on the shoreline. Some of us are blooming in the beautiful reefs, and others of us are diving deep – but we are all living in The Water of Life! And each of the crabs are still hermit crabs, despite where they live. We are Christians, too, no matter where we are in our walk – as long as we continue to seek a greater house than our own by surrendering our flesh and seeking His righteousness daily. Romans 8:4 “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Departing Words: 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”