The Olive Trees of Lesvos

As I mentioned in an earlier Pastor’s Devotion, back in early October Kim and I visited the Greek island from which my grandparents had come, the island of Lesvos. While there we visited an organic olive grove and olive oil factory. It was a great experience—in spite of all the walking and climbing we had to do among the olive trees. We learned a lot about olive trees, the cultivation of olives, and the production of olive oil. One thing we learned is that, it takes about 40 years for an olive tree to produce enough olives for harvesting. That’s a lot of time. (There is a saying: “One plants grapes for themselves, but olives for their children and grandchildren!”). 

As we drove around Lesvos, everywhere we turned there were olive trees. We were told that the southern part of the island alone had 12 million of them! That’s a lot of olives trees! And that’s a lot of olives! It’s no wonder one of the things Lesvos is known for is its olives and olive oil. (The other is ouzo—but that’s another story!) But then remember, it took at least 40 years for each of them to become what they are today. That’s a lot of time! In fact, many of them are hundreds of years old. 

The Bible has many references to olive trees. For example, the psalmist wrote, “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love  for ever and ever.” (Psalm 52:8 – NIV)  The prophet Hosea wrote of God’s work of healing and restoration among his people saying,  “His splendor will be like an olive tree….” (Hosea 14:6) 

God promises us as his people, if we will trust him and obey him, he will work in our lives so as to make us like those olive trees that Kim and I saw on Lesvos: strong, healthy, beautiful, and fruitful. It may take some time. After all, no olive tree matures and brings forth fruit overnight.  But if we will continue to live lives of faith in God, he will do his work in us and make us into all he intends for us to be, even giving us the splendor of an olive tree!

It may be a strange way to put it, but God’s desire is for you to be the best of olive trees in his kingdom and thus to bring forth the best of olives that others would be blessed. 

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris