The hermit crab is a small crustacean found in ocean waters worldwide. It is a fascinating little creature closely related to crabs, though not a true crab. It has a soft underbody protected with a shell on its back. But the shell is not his. It is an empty, borrowed one from some other animal. In fact, it uses anything it can fit into as a home and it continually moves from one "home" to another going through its daily routine. 

This brings to mind the hymn "This world is not my home". The little hermit crab is never comfortable in his adopted home... "just a-passing through". 

As Christians, we too are "stuck" in a shell, (Paul calls it a tent - I Cor. 5). We have mortal bodies that we use while "a-passing through" this life. Like the hermit crab home, our shell is not a permanent home but rather a vessel temporarily containing our souls. Unfortunately, we can't move into another "shell", but must endure life in the one we were given. That can be a burden. Illness, grief, hardships...the list goes on and on making our "shell" an unpleasant place to live at times. 

But have faith my brothers and sisters, for God has promised Christians relief. Unlike the crab, who dies and no longer exists, we have a promise of a different, incorruptible home featuring a new heavenly body. (I Cor. 15:42-57). 

1 Cor. 15:52-56... in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?"