Crabs in the bucket often have Crab Mentality!

While searching for motivational quotes (which I enjoy)
I clicked on the link giving me "45 Ways to Live Life to the Fullest."

I got stuck on #8.  Not only was it funny - but it's so true.  Then I clicked on another link (I know you do this, too - it's called 'research') and read further.  Here is the #8 "Way to Live" that caught my attention:

#8 - Don’t be a crab in the bucket. You’ve heard the expression "Crabs in the Bucket" – its the tendency crabs have for pulling other crabs back down, right when they’re about to climb out. When you break from the norm, you’ll get pushback from your loved ones. Its not jealousy – they genuinely care for us. But people living the life society tells them to live ... get scared when they see others going for it. Even if they do it subconsciously, and even if it’s out of genuine concern – its still harmful. It creates a culture of conformity, mediocrity, and quiet desperation. Don’t be a crab in the bucket. 

Sure enough, there is a crab mentality that says, "If I can't have it, I sure don't want you to have it."

Let one crab start climbing to escape from their ho-hum life in the bucket of nothing ... and other crabby crabs with their crab mentality start grabbing and yanking the escapee by the legs .. thus ... the ONE crab who desires more out of life, regardless of having a past as one of the crabby crabs.... is pulled back down in the depths of the bucket of nothing.  Hope is gone.  The adventurous crab gives up.  And dies.

There may be crabby crabs in your life.  They know you.  Therefore, they are determined that you can't grow and change  - you can't become!  Any change on your part is resented by the other crabs because they don't have the desire to change.  They would rather keep you in the bucket with them than let you find the freedom to live your dreams.

Everyone wants freedom.  Jesus came to set us free.  If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.  He gives us life and more abundantly.  Jesus is your way out of a boring bucket existence ... Since you are no longer a crabby crab, the crabby crab bucket is not a place of pleasure and you long for joy, peace, and a life worth living!   

I am reminded of a children's song from Sunday School:

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart
Down in my heart

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart to stay

Then it goes on to another verse:

I've got the peace that passes understanding
Down in my heart
Down in my heart
Down in my heart

Repeat that last verse and by now you have made it to the rim of the bucket.  Now, JUMP!  You just eluded the clasp of crabby crab claws!  Yes!  Freedom feels good!

No more worldly conformity, spiritual mediocrity, and living in a state of quiet desperation. 

Remember, life can be better.  Keep your dreams alive and climb!!!
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THE LIGHT THAT WON'T GO OUT...

This evening the sun was just beginning to set.  Tommy had been gone only minutes when the lights in the apartment went out.  No big deal.  There was still plenty of light.  While I was looking for some source of light (like a flashlight), suddenly the lights came back on.  That's good.  Then ... a bit later, they went out a second time.  Now it's a little darker than before.  This is not good.  I pulled the chain on the light in the hall.  It's supposed to be a back-up light run by a generator just in case the lights go out ~ ~ ~ but it doesn't work.  No problem, the electricity came back on, again.

Now, it's totally dark.  I still have power ... even though the clocks have to be reset and the fan won't resume it's normal cooling duties without being turned on again each time ... yes, it is great to have 'light'.

This reminds me of the world we live in.  As long as we have adequate vision of our surroundings, we are able to tolerate the lights dimming.  If we can see to continue our daily lives, we don't worry too much about the darkness settling in around us... spiritually.

Our country is getting darker as time passes.  Daily, I read about an act of human behavior that is worse than the last.

Jesus addressed a crowd one day.  And in this moment he gave us the answer for the spiritual darkness of our world.  Here's the story... in my words:

Early one morning Jesus came from the Mount of Olives to the temple and the people came to him.  He sat down.  Then He taught them.  While He was there, the scribes and pharisees brought to him a woman caught in adultery.  Do you remember how Jesus ministered in this situation?  He forgave the woman of her sin as the bystanders challenged Him ... so He bent down and wrote in the ground.  Turning to them, He challenged her accusers:  "You without sin, cast the first stone."  They were convicted and left the scene!  The youngest to the oldest!  Jesus and the woman were left alone.   

Surely, there were observers of this event, for then Jesus announced to them: "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."  (John 8:12)

Another important verse in the ninth chapter of John, Jesus declares: "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

The darker the world becomes ... the more I must have Jesus in my life.  He is the light of the world.  If I follow Him, I will not walk in darkness.  Others around me may stumble ... but my path is clear.   I will not fall.  I can function as usual.

What a definite doctrine this is!  He is my Light.  He is my guide!  I follow Him.  He is my Fountain of Light.  He is my Truth!  How wonderful it is to walk in joy because Jesus Christ lights my steps!

As spiritual darkness settles in around me... the Light must increase in my spirit.  That Light increases through the knowledge of God the Father and by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  He is the Light of my life!  My joy of serving the Lord need not diminish.  Rather, it can and will shine all the brighter as darkness intensifies.

What a contrast!  Oh, that the Light of Jesus in me and in you will shine for all to see, leading others to this Light.

No, I won't be in spiritual darkness, even if the lights go out for there's a Power source that never diminishes.  Praise be to His Name.  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the Light of the world!
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