Invaders of the dark

They're quick and hard to see, but that bit of white by the rock is the "crab"

A continuing series inspired by sights of Kauai
Dusk was deepening to darkness as we sat on driftwood on a beach on the east side of Kauai.  As we watched the gentle dimming of the sky above the swishing ocean, we enjoyed the solitude of the surf’s rhythms. Then something almost otherworldly startled me—a ghostlike being barely bigger than a hand, scuttling across the sands in front of us. One, then three, then maybe a dozen danced before us.

Ghost crabs had slunk out of their hiding places for their nocturnal feedings. Swift runners, they can fold in an instance and slink into a tunnel whose opening is smaller than a dime for bigger crabs, or a pencil eraser for smaller ones. Later, reading about their habits, I learned that they can’t stay underground for long.  If a wave passes over the tunnel’s opening, they have to get out as soon as possible or they will drown.

The ghost crab is upper middle, just to the right of the V created
by a branch and piece of bark

Returning during the day to the same beach, we found baby ghost crabs learning their trade, remarkably agile for creatures no bigger than my “pinkie” fingernail. Instinct has taught them to hide.  In that respect, some people have a lot in common with ghost crabs. They physically or emotionally hide when they feel threatened by the world around them. They close themselves off from social activities, friendships, and even God’s calling to be His salt and light in the world. They’re happier hiding in their “holes.” Some allow media compulsions (TV, internet browsing, social media) to shrink their emotional world to an unhealthy state.

The Bible pictured a similar emotional state in the story of Elijah, just after he triumphed over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. When wicked Queen Jezebel realized this attacked her authority, she threatened to kill Elijah, and off he ran to a desolate place to whine that he was done-done-done with life. God allowed Elijah to get some much-needed rest and nourishment. But He wouldn’t let the prophet cringe in the cave forever.  He dispatched Elijah to crown a new king (a scary, anti-establishment act) and his own eventual successor. In those days, there was no tele-commuting from the cave. He had to go out and do that personally. (See 1 Kings 19.) Later, he stomped into Jezebel’s and Ahab’s throne room to censure them for killing an innocent man to take over his property.  Heavy stuff!

It’s easy to play “hide.”  But I’m grateful for the “and seek” part of that phrase. Jesus said, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). God wants to pull us out of our comfortable holes. He calls us to engage in the world with integrity in order to spread the Gospel. Ghost crabs were amusing to watch, but the real “invaders of the dark” have two feet and a compulsion to bring spiritual light to this dark world.