“What do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?” An Olive Tree

We may have been asked as children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” With our imagination in full swing, we may have offered answers like fireman, teacher, dog walker, etc. But what about “Olive tree”? Ever heard that answer? Me either, until today.

The Olive Tree

I am currently reading the Psalms in chronological order. Yesterday I read Psalm 34. Within this Psalm David faces affliction but continually references God as his refuge noting that God is close to the brokenhearted and no one “who take refuge in him will be condemned” (vs.22). This morning’s read was Psalm 52. Knowing David’s need for refuge during his trials in Psalm 34, I found it interesting that in Psalm 52 he likened himself to olive tree (vs. 8).

What appeared unusual to me, was not to David. Olive trees were common in his time. However, I had no idea how powerful the olive tree metaphor was until today. Most of us know it as a symbol of peace. We have heard the phrase of “extending an olive branch” when reconciliation is offered. Additionally, most of us may be remember that an olive branch is what the dove brings to Noah that signifies the end of the flood and a promise of renewal. But David’s metaphor adds even more.

In my quick research of the olive tree, I was made aware that there is an International Olive Council. Their research notes that the olive tree dates to twelfth millennium BC! It was first disseminated throughout the Greek isles and gained notoriety increasing its cultivation in the 4th BC. Additionally, olive trees can live between 300-600 years; however, the oldest certified tree is more than 2,000 years old and still bears fruit.

Although those are all fun facts, invaluable facts reveal the powerful metaphor David likened himself to. The components listed below may convince us all, like David, to be an olive tree when we grow up.

Components

1)        Needs regular pruning

Pruning is a metaphor throughout scripture, and it offers an opportunity for growth and maturity. While pruning may be viewed as a painful and difficult process, it is a necessary one. It removes the dead portions that weigh down the olives and allows for healthier and more substantive fruit to grow.

 David understood pruning well. While the Psalms do not explicitly use the term pruning like John 15:1-2 in the New Testament, we still see David face hardships, suffering, lamenting as well as deliverance and resilience. Through these experiences David grew in his reliance on God and trusting God to bring him through those hardships.

 We are not without our need for pruning either. To mature in Christ, to increase the strength of our roots, sometimes pruning is necessary. However, God gives us space to lament all about it while still holding tightly to us.

 2)        Indestructible

Under the weight of this world’s demands, disease, and detriments, it is hard to believe anything is indestructible. This includes our spirits. But David proves otherwise.

The root system of an olive tree is a massive root system that allows it to thrive in difficult weather conditions. The roots also create stability and can regenerate even after damage from frost, fire, or disease. David experienced his own damage from hardships. Yet, he still flourished in the house of God and praised God no matter what he faced.

We, too, can have the same outcome. The goal is not to not have hardships. Life is going to keep “lifing.” The goal is to have a root system that creates stability and resilience so that we may thrive in Christ no matter what is happening around or to us.  However, we need to assess what we are rooting ourselves in. Without a strong base, flourishing will be difficult. The more we root ourselves in Christ, the stronger we grow and can withstand the difficulties life brings.

3)        Are resilient

David saw much drought in his time throughout the land. He certainly experienced it in his own life. From King Saul trying to take his life to even his calamity produced by his own hand, David experienced the drought and disconnect that comes from sin and, sometimes, trauma. He lamented time and again over these outcomes. Yet, he prevailed. He cried out, God drew near, and David trusted “in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever” (Psalm 52:8).

 We may face the same drought. It may be disease, broken relationships, loneliness, grief, and more. Regardless of what it is, what we know is it is crushing, heartbreaking, and can feel life-draining. Resilience does not even appear as an option….until it does.

Like David we can cry out, state our needs, and feel God’s gentle hold on us (Psalm 34:17-18). As we cry out, God draws near. He is close to the brokenhearted even when He feels so far away. In our brokenness, God allows us to experience hope, an attribute where our resilience resides.

 4)        Provides life

Olive oil has life giving qualities both physically and spiritually. We see the physical qualities in Luke 10:34 when the Good Samaritan helps the beaten man in the road as he “bandaged his wounds, pour on oil and wine.” However, David provides a insight into the spiritual life-giving properties.

David knew that for him to have longevity, there was only one person in whom he could find his strength: God. For him to flourish in the house of God, for him to maintain his peace and hope, he had to remain rooted in God. David experienced personally what happened when he was rooted in God and when he was not. He truly understood that if God was not his stronghold, he would be destroyed as he witnessed his foes be destroyed (Psalm 52:7).

We are connected to a life-giver. He gave his one and only son for us. His son gave his life for us, and defeated death and hell to give us life everlasting! When we are rooted in Christ, we experience life abundantly (John 10:10). This does not mean we experience a life without hurt and pain. It means that our root system is indestructible, resilient and produces a life that no enemy can destroy.

Final Thoughts

Most of us have been through something that no fireman, teacher, or anything else we wanted to be could rescue us from. We have faced tragedies, heartaches, and more. We have felt the storms and droughts. Maybe today we can try being something different to weather the life we face. Maybe today we become an olive tree rooted so deeply in Christ that we can withstand the pruning to experience the indestructibleness and life-giving qualities that result in trusting in “God’s unfailing love for ever and ever” (Psalm 52:8).

Challenge Questions:

1) In what ways do you feel you are like an olive tree?

2) Are there components of the olive tree with which you struggle? If so, list three ways you can strengthen those components.

3) In what ways have you felt “God’s unfailing love for ever and ever” as you have endured hard moments?