Rock Cress

Alpine Rock Cress is an easy-to-grow plant which is often seen sprouting out of walls and other seemingly inhospitable places. Its formal name is Arabis alpine, given to it by botanist Carl Von Linne, who observed its success growing in the sand. It is easy to grow, but one thing it doesn’t like is to have its roots disturbed. Growing in poor soils and shallow beds, its roots are more vital than ever, both to prevent it from blowing away and because they extract what little moisture and goodness there is available.

In Colossians 2:6-7 Paul states: Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.(ESV)

Christians are blown and battered, knocked and tried. Yet they remain rooted. Those who appear to fall away were ill-rooted, never truly connected to Christ. Some connected to the church, some to religious music, others to Christian social life, but to the Saviour Himself, their roots surely failed to grip. Disturb Arabis’ roots, and it withers. Take away a Christian's happiness, money, health or prestige and he or she will still survive, if not prosper. Why? The roots are secure.