Faith of a Seashore Crab

John 6: 47-51 “I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” 

I had the opportunity recently to walk the beach one morning with Pam, my wife. And as we were walking we came upon a couple of crabs looking for food at the water’s edge. The little crabs would scurry down to the shore after the water had receded from a wave and search for bits of food. If there were any scraps to be found in the foam left on the shore, they would grab it and begin their short feast. It was short because the next wave  would hit about 7 seconds later. And when frightened, the little crabs darted into their nearby hideout hole burrowed in the sand. This struggle for existence played out many times in the course of our relatively short viewing time.

This drama in miniature brought to mind how often we, or people we know, act like the little crabs. Darting in and out of a spiritually nourishing life in Christ to feed and then withdraw. Too scared to be drawn into a chair of the banquet offered in a rich faith-life at the Lord's Table. Running away and not staying for fear of losing ourselves. Content to dip our beaks into the fountain of living waters. How foolish are we? And how shortsighted are those who chose that kind of life? Jesus Christ is the bread of life. When the choice is made to not sit and feast on this bread, the everlasting life that is given in Him is missed. My friends let us stop scurrying to and fro, and pull up a chair. Let us stay at the table set by our Lord. The Risen Savior has invited us. Far be it from us to decline His invitation.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are the living waters, and the bread of life. We know this, and yet we often chose to feast on something less spiritually nourishing. We put You aside, to go chasing after something else with our lives. Help us when we are tempted to remain sitting with You at Your banquet table. Guide us with Your love and wisdom to make better choices in our lives. We ask this in Your precious and Holy name, Amen.