The crab scuttled from under a stone running to take cover, but the distance was too great as I reached down and picked him up from the sides of his shell, being careful not to let him nip me with those big pincers

This is one of the very few times that I have picked a large crab up and seen them up close. Its hard shell is a perfect protection from the crab’s predators and also for slipping under stones to hide. Its legs enable it to scuttle very fast across the sands to outrun their prey or to catch their food. Its front pincers are also a wonderfully designed weapon that can be extremely effective from the front – “Ouch” it got me as it struggled to escape, so I placed him down and took a photo.

Sometimes when I meet people and talk to them about Jesus, it is like there is a hard shell to get through and they have their big weapons to nip me with, but the truth is, truth is sharper than a two-edged sword.

Hebrew 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

God’s word, Jesus, can penetrate into our very souls, first convicting in truth but then in grace releasing the new life, but many times I see that people refuse to believe. They will not accept the truth. “Why would they not accept the truth?” I have often asked, and the answer is always the same because it would mean that they would have to make a change in their lives, very often forsaking a comfortable life for the uncomfortable. So they keep their defences up, their shell stays on and they attack back with their pre-thought out responses.

Just lately I have seen videos posted by people claiming to present truth, but all it does is deride people who believe a different view. This is the weapon we have that will get through that hard shell, LOVE. If we show love, then this will magnify God’s power through us and the message will hit home.

Dear Jesus, help me to listen to others, 
help me not just respond with an argument but respond in love.
Help me to share your gospel without deriding others for their views.
Amen