Being An Olive Tree

 

“But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust [confidently] in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.”

 

I love bible verses that refer to things in nature. King David compares himself to a green olive tree. It is interesting to note the attributes of an olive tree.

·      Longevity: Olive trees live for thousands of years. There are living olive trees today that are verified as being as old as 2,000 years.

·      Prolific: While olive trees start bearing fruit after 5 years, they can produce fruit for most of their lives. A tree in Crete is still producing fruit at the “ripe” old age of 16,000 years.

·      Indestructible: The root system regenerates even when the above-ground tree has been destroyed.

·      Drought-defying: Like eucalyptus trees, olive trees are drought-friendly.

·      Generous: Large olive trees produce 400 lbs. of lives annually. Are they age, they produce more.

·      Ancient: Edible olives have been cultivated for 6,000 years.

·      Sacred: Over the centuries the olive branch has represented peace, glory, fertility, power, and purity. The branches were offered to deities representing purification and are used in religious games. Branches were also woven into crowns for winners of games and wars. 

·      Healthy: Olives, distant relative of the peace provide antioxidants, healthy fats, and fiber.

8 amazing attributes of olive trees that will humble and inspire you. Olive My Pickle. (n.d.). 

How can/do we reflect the attributes of an olive tree when put our confidence in the lovingkindness of God?

·      Longevity: Though our bodies die, the effects of our lives, lives on (2 Cor. 6:9).

·      Prolific: The blessings that are produced when we live as vessels of the Holy Spirit are innumerable (1 Cor. 10:16).

·      Drought-defying: Jeremiah (17:7-9) tells us that trusting in God makes our roots resilient not matter what happens above the surface.

·      Generous: It is our calling to give, and our giving is multiplied by God working in and through us (2 Cor. 9:10-11).

·      Ancient: As a part of God’s creation of the heaven, earth, and all living things, God chose humans as unique and molded us out of the earth God created (Gen. 1:27).

·      Sacred: We are made holy by God’s forgiveness which cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9).

·      Healthy: We are made healthy for others and for all of God’s creation by emptying ourselves of the things of the world and being filled with all that is God. Jesus calls this process denying oneself, taking up one’s cross, and following him (Luke 9:23).

 

Being like an olive tree is both difficult and easy, both simple and complicated. This duality is most often because of our human nature. All of these attributes are possible only when we commit ourselves to daily transformation. We use the power given to us as human beings to choose. We choose to be filled, directed, and used by God. We choose to give up the fulfillment of our needs. We choose to participate in the fulfillment of God’s needs for creation, including human beings. God sets daily, the choices between life and death, blessings and curses. God asks us to simply choose (Deut. 30:19). Happy is the one who chooses life and blessing. Happy is the world God created when we choose life and blessing. Enjoy this brief return to winter.