How many men does it take to carry a crocodile ?

No this isn't like the question "How many Psychiatrists (Analysts) does it take to change a light-bulb ?"

I watched a TV programme the other night in which Australian Wildlife presenter Steve Irwin who together with a contingent of men from the Australian army (part of the UN peace-keepers) "puts his safety on the line to rescue two crocs living in terrible conditions in East Timor. The first rescue, of a tortured female festering in a bacteria-filled puddle, goes smoothly. But when Steve attempts to move a feisty 11-foot male from his eight foot concrete jail, it looks as though the real life Crocodile Dundee has met his match."

It certainly was a moving programme.

If ever you want to carry a crocodile, this is how you do it:

1. Tie a piece of rope round the crocs upper jaw, and a similar one round it's lower one and fasten it's jaws together ... that's the easy bit.

2. Take your squad of army men (it is best to use Australians, but if you cannot get Aussies, Yanks or Tommies will do) Each man tucks part of the crocodile under his arm and if you are only going a short distance walk with the crocodile, if you are going a bit further all climb in the back of a pickup truck with the crocodile.

(This is a perfect excuse on why the driver should go through the red lights in the centre of town!)

The conditions the crocodiles were kept in was quite horrific, the first crocodile had to be washed in the sea before it could be taken to it's new enclosure and the second had to have it's pen dismantled to get it out.

Much like our situation before Jesus rescued us

Isa:64:6: "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."

Psalms:51:2: "Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin."

Isa:1:18: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

As were the crocodiles, we were taken out of the miry pit of our old lives of sin, we were in a prison which we couldn't get out of.

The walls of our prison were broken down and we were lifted out, washed and taken to a new place to live with Jesus.

Col:1:13: "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:"

Do you know one of the crocodiles was so used to being in the dirty water that it had to be dragged into the new clean pool ?

It was a joy to see the crocodile swimming in its new enclosure.

Our new life is so different than our former life

Eph:4:14-15: "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"

Eph:4:22-24: "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

Ro:6:22: "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

So have you accepted Jesus's rescue plan ?"

Have you been lifted out of your former life and into the place where God wants you ?

John:1:12: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"

John:3:16-17: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

When should you believe and put your trust in Jesus ?

2Co:6:2: "(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)"

Now is the time.

So how many Psychiatrists (Analysts) does it take to change a light-bulb ?

Only One ... but it has got to want to change !

Do you want to change ?

Change now with Jesus Christ, believe on him as your saviour.

Dear Lord Jesus,
I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

best wishes,

Michael Fowler June 2001