Olive Trees: The Tough Cookie of Trees, part 2

Here is part 2 of Majd's devotional! Click here to go back and read part 1 first, if you haven't already!

From Majd - Olive Trees: The Tough Cookie of Trees, part 2

"1. Like almost all fruit trees, olive trees need trimming. Trimming ensures that more nutrients go into sustaining the fruit rather than the branches. Also, pruned trees are usually kept low to the ground. This serves two purposes: first, it’s easier to pick the fruit that way, and second, the nutrients get to the fruit faster. The lesson here is twofold: first, cut out of your life things that take up your energy, be it things that spread you thin or people who keep sucking energy out of you. And second, stay low to the ground, humble, so that the fruit you bear for the benefit of others is more easily accessible to them.

2. Olive trees need rest. While they can withstand the harshest of conditions and live over two thousands years, that does not mean the fruit isn’t affected by their surrounding conditions. For example, a strong rain can damage the flowers, which results in less production. Extreme heat and drought and extreme cold affect the olives as well. Also, something most people don’t know is that olive trees have an on year and then an off year. Usually, trees that produce well one year have less yield the following year. And the lesson here for us is to recognize that we are prone to fatigue and damage. That’s called life. But it doesn’t mean we become useless, it only means we need to withstand whatever we are going through. Because once we are through the hardship, we will be back to bearing good fruit!"

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As we consider Majd's words, let us remember and pray for our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. They experience harsh conditions, but still persevere. Sadly, the olive harvesting season has been weaponized for decades, with many olive trees being destroyed by those attempting to devastate the livelihood and culture of native Christians and their neighbors. Nevertheless, there are faithful people in the Holy Land who continually cultivate peace and justice. We will continue to share the stories of the good fruit that is born!