by Vanessa Smith
You would be forgiven for thinking that I am currently identifying as a hermit based on the weather experienced in our city over the past 3 weeks. For so many of you who experienced flooding or bad leaks – you possibly identify more with ducks!
Whilst I certainly have displayed the behavioural pattern of a hermit – this is not the subject of my newsletter. Don’t even begin to ask about the random chain of events and thoughts that led me to greater interest in the life cycle of a Hermit Crab. If you too get caught up in this fascination you will find that research on the subject was done by Vanessascrabitat (.com.au) – no that is not me – just a happy co-incidence.
To understand my thoughts – let me begin by sharing the life of a hermit crab.
Hermit crabs start their lives as tiny free-swimming creatures called zoea. They then enter a transitional stage called glaucothoe. During this stage they shed their exoskeleton multiple times and finally exit this stage looking like tiny lobsters – with legs and nippers – sinking to the ocean floor to inhabit their first shell.
This is where it became interesting to me – the hermit crab does not ever inhabit its own shell – they inhabit an empty shell – suitable to their size/need at the time.
Once they occupy a shell they enter the juvenile/adult stage – which is marked by multiple molts and a life-long process of growing and frequently shedding their exoskeletons – trading up and into larger shells. The hermit crab needs the shell to protect their soft spiral abdomen. Living in this way they are reported to live for decades – reportedly up to 30 or 40 years!
Call me crazy – but this was an AHA moment for me – I totally identify with these crabs!
I too began as a “free-swimming” child – blissfully unaware of the world around me. I too probably took on my first “shell”- a plain-jane snail shell – around scholastic years – followed by various other shells as I sank to the bottom of the sea and began my working/adult life.
I do believe that I am not alone in feeling that we are living in a time where many of us feel uncertain about the future – vulnerable to wars, the rising cost of living, limited resources (both natural and resources such as employment), coupled with growing demands.
When I think of the hermit crab – I realise that God is still present! We are all part of Gods creation and He created us (both the hermit crabs and us) to experience continual growth/change.
Key to my AHA moment is the realization that the crab MUST frequently shed their exoskeleton and find another larger suitable shell to GROW. During the transition the crab is exposed and vulnerable. While the crab is “between shells”it is exposed to predators, the mercy of the ocean – they are at risk as they cannot protect their soft abdomens without the protection of a shell.
In captivity the crab demonstrate their vulnerability by burrowing down deep into substrate to hide out while their exoskeleton hardens. In captivity Vanessas (not me) reports that they literally display “crabbiness”after a molt and they become inactive and vulnerable after a mold and while looking for a new shell.
What is the point of my fascination with this creature? It brought home to me the fact that God created us to develop and grow in and with Him. To grow – we experience vulnerability, we feel exposed. So often we are hard on ourselves for feeling crabby or scared during times of change or uncertainty. Take heart in knowing that it is all part of growth in Christ and the seasons of life. If we do not go through these phases – we cannot grow.
Know that our creator God is with us in uncertain, vulnerable moments. He reminds us of this in so many verses – Matthew 6:31-33 being one – “So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? Or What shall we drink? Or What shall we wear? Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you”. Or Exodus 14v14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Sometimes growth can be defined as “just NOT quitting”. During tough seasons God promises to sustain us – to provide only what we need.
Take heart – If you (like me) – feel like the hermit crab – exposed, without a shell and frantically burrowing into the sand to feel safe (and maybe a little crabby) – know that we are NOT behind, we are not failing! To the contrary – such times are times of growth.
If you feel safe and sound in your shell right now – be kind to those who may be outside of theirs. If you are going through a vulnerable season – take a leaf out of the hermit crabs’ book – keep on looking for that new shell and know that you are growing!
Have a blessed week,
Vanessa