SAVIOR
OF SOLDIER CRABS
The message of
gospel truth is present throughout creation to all who open their senses and
sensitivity to discern the voice of God. In my travels, I once came
across one of God’s simple-but-fascinating creatures, the SOLDIER CRAB. They caught my
attention because their behavior depicts a picture of mankind’s need for divine
intervention and grace.
Although they are
somewhat elusive, soldier crabs can occasionally be found on sandy shores at
low tide. Their appearance is quite different from the crabs we typically
see. They have a sky-blue dome about the size of nickel. Attached
to this dome are long, spindly, cream-colored legs, which they use to lift
themselves on the sand.
The unusual name of
soldier crabs comes from their tendency to march around in large groups.
They emerge from holes in the sand seeking food; and because of their
close formations and blue shells, they look like a marching army.
When I drew closer
to observe, I noticed a distinctive characteristic in their behavior.
Soldier crabs have an amazing ability to burrow down quickly into the sand.
Sensing my presence, they vanished in mere seconds, leaving nothing
behind but tiny mounds of sand. Each time I tried to get close, they dug in
and hid again. More than likely, I was too big and overwhelming; from
their perspective, possibly a predator.
It occurred to me
that the only way I could get close to those soldier crabs would be if I had
the ability to transform myself into one of them. Of course, I don’t have
the ability to do that. But isn’t that a marvelous image of what Almighty
God has so graciously done for US? We were just like soldier crabs.
Our fallen nature caused us to feel too small and too sinful to commune with
the transcendent and Holy God.
So, THE ALL-WISE GOD did not approach
us clothed in His majestic splendor. Instead, He condescended to our
level and appeared to us in a form that looked just like us and communicated just
like us. And miracle of miracles, through our close encounter with HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, we became “the
righteousness of God” – with the call and capability to “come boldly to the
throne of grace…to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (II
Corinthians 5:21 and Hebrews 4:16)
Wisely, God did not
overwhelm us; rather, He joined us so we could be reborn and reunited with
Him. In other words, the Son of God became a man to enable men to become
the sons of God. What a good, gracious, merciful, loving and mighty God
we serve! Always stay connected to Him.
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