Wrapped Around the Rock – Morning thoughts on being Planted and Rooted.

Wrapped Around the Rock –
Prayerfully from the heart of Pastor Calvin Cook
Written the morning of August 19, 2025

Last evening I was sitting at Wild Cat Park in Ludlow enjoying a Chicken BBQ in one of the pavilions. As I was facing the trees and woods that surrounds the park – I noticed a large tree that appeared as if it was growing out of a large rock. Actually, the tree only had room to grow if it wrapped its roots around this large boulder. (see the picture with this morning’s devotional.)

Immediately – my mind left the problems, discussions, and situations of the day and became centered on this scene, unusual visual of nature, calming me. I am always humbled by the way God speaks when we are willing to listen:

This scripture from Matthew 7:24-25 came to mind : “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because I had its foundation on the rock.”

A couple things to consider from this scripture that might draw us closer to Jesus and resist the challenges and temptations of the present day, coming in the form of two questions –

What Foundation are we Standing On?
Jesus makes it clear in this scripture that there are only two foundations: and or rock. Standing on sand is tough. Remembering those days at the beach as the waves roll in the sand seem to move and shift causing a feeling of sinking deeper. Standing on sand is trusting in temporary things – our own efforts, wealth, reputation, and sometimes relationships that aren’t founded in Christ. All of these things may feel steady at the time, but when storms come, disappointments happen, differences of opinions occur, loss or challenge of a friendship or relationship, we feel the haunting spirit of loneliness, depression, anxiety – it seems as if we are standing on that shifting sand sinking deeper and deeper into something, stuck with new way forward other than an abrupt change. When we stand on the solid foundation, the rock of Christ in means we cling to something totally different. That we have grounded ourselves on the unshakable hope of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We ground ourselves into grace and what grace means through prayer, scripture, promises and faithfulness. He is unshakable even when life is shaken.

The second question: What are we clinging to? When storms rage, we don’t just need a foundation beneath us – we need something to hold onto. Hebrews 6:19 calls this hope and what we cling to as the anchor of our soul. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19 . Dear Friends, I find it so everyday in everything that when we are not clinging to Jesus as the anchor of our everything, in a minute we can be tossed about. It then causes us to allow fear, control, or human answers, even our own not-Jesus thinking to be tossed around. But if we anchor ourselves and wrap our heart, mind, and soul around Jesus, He will steady our soul like none other.

When we have this solid foundation and steady anchor, it will be this that gives us stability and direction. Just like that tree at Wild Cat – if we stand on Christ as our rock, and cling to Him as our Anchor, we will be able to endure the trials of life, resist the temptation, and live with confidence – forsaking everything else and making Jesus number 1 !

Praying with confidence with and for you :
Lord Jesus –
Be My Rock and my Anchor –
Forgive me when I’ve trusted shifting sands and clung to things that can’t save me –
Plant my life firmly in you. I want to cling to you amidst everything !
Thank you Jesus – may I live up to your expectations of me – Amen