Sometimes my mind does funny things. I come across a word or idea that I have to learn more about, then I cannot stop thinking about it until I satisfy that curiosity that abounds. Same such thing happened this morning. I was reading in Isaiah 55:13 and came across a reference to a tree. Not just any tree, but a funny named tree – the Myrtle tree. Why does this reference so specifically mention this kind of tree? Well I just had to Google it to see… here is what I found…
There are several types of Myrtle trees… some in the Mediterranean, some in Oregon even some in Arizona. But they have some common features; the trees are used for spices, perfumes, milling and carved art and ornaments. They are slow growers and live a long time, it takes 80-120 years for them to reach their peak height. They are beautifully shaped and don’t need pruning to maintain their gumdrop appearance. They can bloom in the winter and they like a lot of sunlight and need deep soil to grow. Their wood can contain all kinds of variances based on the nutrients in the soil and one reference even said you can find a sunset variety of colors in the wood based on the nutrients the tree has been planted in!
So what? Why spend all this time looking at tree research? Let’s connect the dots…
The name Myrtle actually means “sweetness.” Probably coming from the scent and scenery that the tree blesses by it’s proximity. We all need “sweetness” in our lives. When we live in close proximity to a Myrtle our lives become flavored – they taste better! Our lives become aromatic – they smell better! Myrtles add color and variety to a sometimes mundane landscape. They bring a pleasantness in all of these areas to keep us in a state of awareness of our surroundings. They heighten our senses. If your life is boring and mundane, if you have lost the colors in your journey, you NEED a Myrtle!
Now, I am not talking about the actual tree here, I am talking about a person. You know someone that IS a Myrtle; bringing joy, pleasantness and fostering enjoyment in this life. But often we neglect this positive influence in our lives. We get too busy, and maybe don’t nourish or foster this kind of relationship. Maybe we were once a Myrtle to those around us, but life got busy and we don’t reach out to those around us as often. Maybe you have experienced a loss, or a disappointment that has caused your “sweetness” to wane. It takes time and effort to make a Myrtle grow, but don’t lose heart, they are hearty beings and easy to find.
The articles I read said that Myrtles grow best in rich soil with full sun and lots of water. Take a look around… what kind of soil are you planted in? What kind of soil do you find yourself walking through most often? If you walk the same path over and over again you kill the vegetation. The pathway becomes hard or sandy and nothing can grow in it! It may be time for you to take another path. It may be time for you to till your soil! Turn it over and over, and start new! Find places you can go to re-energize your life. Find people that are being Myrtles right now, and hang out with them. Myrtles need full sun – are you in a place that is bright and shiny, or are you in a dark place? You can get out of the darkness by looking for the people around that have Hope, Love, Joy and a desire to shine Light into your life. It may be time for you to join a group that has these things present in them… a group of people gathering together to do something good for the community; a Church group gathering to learn more, a dinner party group that you start – for the only purpose of providing flavor in life, a pleasant aroma to fill people’s lives. Is it time for you to step out of your ordinary average lifestyle and add some “sweetness” to it? Life is about living, not maintaining! Do that thing that you have been thinking about in the back of your mind for months. Bring someone along to do it with you! Break out of the ordinary and mundane! Just keep one more thing in mind… Myrtles can take a long time to grow. This may mean that you have several steps to take; step one, till the soil. Step two, water, water, water. Step three, find the Light… you get the picture. Just don’t give up. Find a Myrtle, be a Myrtle. Let’s change the landscape!
I tried to hang out with a Myrtle once, and she got a restraining order against me.
Seriously, good thoughts. I never noticed the specific reference to the myrtle in that passage before, but I think you’re really onto something here. The bible refers to strong believers as trees in several places encouraging us to be strong, well-grounded, and (in this case) aromatic.
Now I another meaning of the tree on the front of the bulletin! A very good change…maybe you have a great sermon going here! As we progress through the building project, we have the opportunity to be the Myrtle within the neighborhood. There will be several challenges, but the rewards are worth the time and energy.
myrtle is another name for esther