Resources/Articles
“Clams”
Clams
I’ve heard how we can be attributed to the characteristics of different animals and many of them can be close to accurate. Those who are fast are like cheetahs, and those who are slow are like turtles. Those who are lazy are like sloths, and those who are workers are like ants. Loyalty is comparable to dogs, memory is attributed to elephants, and wisdom is attached to owls. However, I think a creature that best describes many of us today is the clam.
Clams are the aquatic animals which don’t appear too often, unless on our plate! They are quite small in size, yet what they are known for is their shell. A clam’s shell is rock hard and quite difficult to penetrate. Once that shell snaps shut, it is well protected. Nothing gets in and nothing goes out. Once the danger is removed, the clam can open his shell once more. Without that shell the clam would have to deal with all the uncertainties and dangers of the surrounding world.
Does this clam sound like any of you? I believe many of us carry our shell around with us. When a situation occurs that makes us uncomfortable, we just jump in our shell and bunker down until all is clear. When someone is in need financially, emotionally, spiritually; when someone is acting rudely, treating another unkind, speaking against our Lord or His word; when there is a role to be filled, a need to be cared for, it is easy for us to just jump in our shells and wait for the problem to pass. This seems especially true of our cowardice towards sharing the Gospel with others.
When Paul spoke with the elders from Ephesus, he told them in Acts 20:27 how he did not "shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God." It is not easy to expose sin. The news of judgment, right standard for living and God’s will are not always well received. However, when the seed of the Gospel, the good news of the Salvation through the blood of Jesus, meets the open and receptive heart, souls are saved. Don’t allow yourself to clam up. Doors open every day. Opportunities are just around the corner. Look for ways you can help. Go out of your way to serve. The easy temptation is just to climb into the comfort zone of my shell and wait, but Jesus’ call isn’t for passive protective cowards, but active courageous servants. Let’s ditch our shells and spread that light.
