Winds Through the Olives

Winds Through the Olives

I imagine that as the Savior suffered in the Garden, many of us wished we could be there to comfort Him. We wept tears of compassion as our Savior, whom we loved so much, suffered for our sins. The wind blowing through the olive trees is symbolic of our presence, and our prayers for the Savior as He suffered for the sins of the world.

But the real miracle is so much more than the agony He experienced. The miracle is grace, which is why my favorite phrase in "Winds through the Olives" is "take from the Garden the fragrance of grace." His grace is sweet, it makes us new creatures in Christ (C.S. Lewis). He burst the bands of death! The doors to Heaven are open! Sin has no power! We can change, we can become more holy, receiving "of his fullness, and of his glory."

"To inherit this glory, we need more than an unlocked gate; we must enter through this gate with a heart’s desire to be changed—a change so dramatic that the scriptures describe it as being 'born again; yea, born of God, changed from [our worldly] and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters'" (The Gift of Grace, Uchtdorf).

Conversion is a process, it happens over a period of time. As we continue on this path of conversion, let's remember to reach out for help along the way. Let's take time to contemplate how He is working a change in our hearts. Let's take time to notice God's tender mercies. Let's joyfully "walk in [a] newness of life," partaking of the fragrance of grace daily.