When a lone hermit crab finds a good shell, it checks it over for size. It doesn’t pull itself out of the too small shell to check out the bigger one because its body is soft and could cook in the sun — or worse — attract the attention of hungry predators ready to fight it out to win the prize. The hermit crab measures the shell. Alas! It is much too big. Does he waddle away, looking for another? Nope. That little hermit crab sticks around, keeping eyes out and alert.
Pretty soon, another hermit crab shows up, then another and another. They all share a common problem. Oh, wowza! Look at that shell! Finding it too big, too, they line up according to size, some in front of the original finder, some behind. Soon there are enough hermit crabs to organize a clam bake! When a BIG hermit crab shows up, big enough to fill in that gorgeous mansion of a shell, the rocking and rolling party begins!
The biggest slips his soft body out of his shell and fits himself right into the big empty shell. WooHoo! Perfect fit! The hermit crab behind him takes over his abandoned property, followed by the next crab and the next on down the conga line, leaving one small empty shell on the beach. Every crab is happy! “See ya all next time!” And off they go to grow some more.
What a lesson God has for us. That first crab didn’t just look out for himself. He had a shared need with other hermit crabs. Every crab that showed up had outgrown its shell, was feeling the squeeze, and wanted to keep growing. Instead of fighting over shells, they came together, lined up and patiently waited. They cooperated with one another, and every crab benefited.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if people behaved more like hermit crabs and less like squabbling predators ready to devour one another?