The Word as revealed by a crab

The Plexiglas tank was the length and width of a bathtub, and about 18 inches deep. A pump kept the chilly salt water circulating which made for a perfect temporary home for the hundreds of Dungeness crabs that resided in it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeness_crab

The tank was in one of the many Asian markets that populate an area of downtown Oakland known as Chinatown. These markets are my favorite place to buy fish because the prices are about half of what our corporate-owned supermarkets charge, and because if the crab is alive, you can be relatively certain that it is fresh. The diminutive Chinese gentleman who spoke just enough English to sell fish was happy to take my order. He set about the fascinating process of completing the transaction by reaching into the tank with his bare hand to pluck out ten of the tasty morsels which were destined for the Hectors' evening meal. Like people, each crab seemed to have a distinct personality, and they had varying ways of responding to the intrusion in their tank. Being a seasoned veteran, the Fishmonger (a Mongol Monger?) took these differences into account as he chose his ten victims, one at a time.

INTERLUDE: The crabs on the right are waiting for their turn in the cooking pot. The crabs on the left have completed their turn in the cooking pot.

Some of the crabs were highly aware of the hand from above as it plunged into their frigid world. They responded in a menacing fashion, rising up on their tasty hind legs as they waved their powerful claws at the threat. They turned to face the hand with lightning speed, keeping both eyes and both claws between their bodies and the five-fingered hazard. Other crabs were indifferent and made no effort to fend off the merchant's advances. They remained still, with their defenses tucked under their chin. They seemed healthy enough; their color and size were the same as their more vigilant companions. Both waved the tiny appendages around their face in the same fashion. But the complacent crabs made no effort to guard themselves from what their more attentive brethren knew to fear. Can you guess which crabs the vendor chose to pull from the water and stuff into the waiting bag? Can you guess which crabs were left unbothered?

I wonder if Satan has something in common with that aging Shopkeeper. Could it be that Satan chooses his victims wisely? Does he look for the sinners that won't put up a fuss? I bet he does. If the sinful things of the world don't bother you much, if they don't seem like much of a threat, you might want to think about how an aging Chinese Merchant goes about the business of choosing his tasty victims. Think about who leaves the tank and who stays.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

1 Peter 5:8

be safe,
Hec @ 19